THE  UNIVERSITY 


OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 

From  the  collection  of 
Julius  Doerner,  Chicago 
Pi3rchased,  1918. 

Q4-<bt 


The  person  charging  this  material  is  re- 
sponsible for  its  return  to  the  library  from 
which  it  was  withdrawn  on  or  before  the 
Latest  Date  stamped  below. 

Theft,  mutilation,  and  underlining  of  books  are  reasons 
for  disciplinary  action  and  may  result  in  dismissal  from 
the  University. 

To  renew  call  Telephone  Center,  333-8400 

UNIVERSITY  OF   ILLINOIS   LIBRARY  AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


^^  0  4  1987 

HAK  2  <  I, 


L161— O-1096 


''Ik 

o 


0 


3 


THREE  YEARS  IN  THE  FEDERAL  CAVALRY. 


THE  UR^'aSY 
OF  THE 


THREE  YEARS 


IN  THE 

FEDERAL  CAVALRY. 


BY 

AUTHOR  OF  "TUE  CAPTURE,  THE  PRISON-PEN  AND  tIIE  ESCAPE,"  ''VIRGINIA'S 
BATTLE-FIELDS,"  ETC.,  ETC.,  ETC. 


NEW  YORK : 

R.  IL  FERGUSON  &  COMPANY,  PUBLISHERS, 
138  BLEECKER  STREET 
1870. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congrcee,  in  the  year  1870,  by 
WILLARD  GLAZIER, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


The  Trow  &  Smith  Eook  Manuf.  Co. 
205-213  E.  12Tn  street, 
New  York. 


THE  GALLANT  AND  UNASSUMING  SOLDIER, 

MAJOR-GENERAL  HENRY  E.DAVIES,JR 

WHOSE    STAR    ALWAYS   SHONE    BRIGHTEST  ON 
THE    FRONT    LINE    OF  BATTLE, 
THIS  VOLUME  IS  RESPECTFULLY 

BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


7QU112 


PREFACE. 


I  HAVE  for  a  long  time  intended  the  publication 
of  this  book,  for  I  thought  that  such  a  work  would  not 
only  be  found  interesting  to  the  public,  but  would  do 
justice  to  the  brave  men  with  whom  it  was  my  for- 
tune to  be  associated  during  the  dark  hours  of  the 
rebellion.  To  serve  them  is  imd  ever  will  be  my 
greatest  pleasure. 

The  remarkable  features  and  events  of  our  late 
Cavalry  movements  in  Virginia  and  elsewhere,  vis- 
ible to  me  during  the  campaigns  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  were  noted  daily  in  my  joiirnal.  From 
that  diary  this  story  of  our  raids,  expeditions,  and 
fights  is  compiled. 

My  descriptions  of  battles  and  skirmishes,  in  some 
cases,  may  seem  too  brief  and  unsatisfactory ;  to  which 
I  can  only  say  that  scores  of  engagements,  which  to 
the  participants  appear  to  be  of  vast  importance,  have 
very  little  general  interest.  On  the  other  hand, 
however,  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  where  our  gallant 
1^ 


X  Preface, 

horsemen  have  done  the  most  brilliant  things,  it  has 
been  impossible  for  me,  in  many  instances,  to  secure 
reliable  and  detailed  accounts  with  which  to  do  them 
full  justice. 

WiLLARD  Glazier. 

New  Yore,  October  Uh^  ISYO. 


CONTENTS. 




CHAPTER  1. 

THE  WAR  FOU  THE  UNION. — CONTEST  BEGUN. 

PAGE. 

1861. — Enthusiasm  of  the  North. — "VVashmgton  Threatened. — Bull 
Run,  and  Its  Lessons. — General  Scott  and  the  Cavalry. — Enlist- 
ment under  Captain  Buel. — The  Harris  Light  Cavalry. — Leaving 
Troy,  New  York.— Captain  A.  N.  Duffi6. — Drilling  and  Fencing 
at  Scarsdale,  New  York. — Bound  for  the  Seat  of  War. — Phila- 
delphia.—Baltimore. — Washington. — Camp  Oregon.,         .      .  19 


CHAPTER  II. 

CAMP-LIFE  AND  ITS  INFLUENCES. 

1861. — Our  unmilitary  Appearance. — First  Equipage. — My  Black 
Mare. — Good  and  Evil  Influences. — News-Boys. — Mail-Bag. — 
Letter-Writing.— The  Bugle  Corps. — Camp-Guard. — Guerillas 
under  Turner  Ashby. — Mounted  Drill. — Laughable  Experiences 
with  Horses. — Southern  Egotism.— Northern  Fancies.        .      .  27 


CHAPTER  III. 

PREPARATIONS  FOR  ACTIVE  SERVICE. 

1861. — ^First  Advance. — "  Contrabands,"  their  Hopes  and  Treatment. 
— Union  Ranks  Filling  Up. — Promotion. — Foraging  and  its  Ob- 
stacles.— Scouting  and  its  Aim. — Senator  Harris  visits  the  Com- 
mand.— Ball's  Bluff. — Recruiting  Service. — Interesting  Incidents. 
— Camp  Palmer. — "Contrabands"  at  Work. — Drilling  near  Ar- 
lington Heights.— Colonel  George  D.  Bayard. — Fight  at  Draines- 
ville  89 


zii 


Contents. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  ADVANCE  TO  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK. 

1862. — All  quiet  along  the  Potomac." — Preparations. — Army  of  the 
Potomac  Moves ! — Capture  of  the  "  Quaker  Guns  "  at  Centre- 
ville. — Eeturn  to  Defences. —Guerillas. — Their  Attacks  and 
Stratagems. — The  Bovine  Foe. — Picketing  ;  how  it  is  done. — 
Sufferings. — McClellan  to  the  Peninsula. — Virginia  Weather  and 
tlie  People. — General  Augur's  Advance  to  the  Eappahannock. — 
Lieutenant  Decker's  Bravery  and  Death. — Night  Charge  on  Fal- 
mouth Heights. — Fredericksburg  Surrenders. — How  Citizens  re- 
gard us.— Guarding  a  Train  to  Thoroughfare  Gap. — Fight  and 
Captures  at  Flipper's  Orchard. — Shenandoah  Valley. — The  Fifth 
New  York  Cavalry,  First  Ira  Harris'  Guard. — Death  of  Turner  ' 
Ashby.— Strange  Cavalry  Tactics. — Personal  Bravery  of  Captain 
Hammond.-— End  of  the  Peninsular  Campaign  49 


CHAPTEE  Y. 

pope's  campaign  in  northern  VIRGINIA. 

1862. — Kilpatrick  at  Beaver  Dam. — Captain  John  S.  Mosby. — Keturn 
of  the  Raiders. — Complimentary  Orders. — The  Harris  Light  at 
Anderson's  Turnout. — Rebel  Account  of  the  Scare. — General 
John  P.  Hatch,  his  Misfortunes  and  Justification. — Reconnois- 
sances. — Battle  of  Cedar  Mountain. — Hospital  at  Culpepper. —  ^ 
General  Stuart  in  Close  Quarters. — His  Adjutant-General  Cap- 
tured.— Death  of  Captain  Charles  Walters. — Pope  driven  back 
and  waiting  for  Reinforcements. — Kilpatrick's  Fight  at  Brandy 
Station. — Waterloo  Bridge. — Bristoe  Station. — Manassas  Junc- 
tion.— Battle  of  Groveton. — Second  Bull  Run. — Chantilly  and 
Death  of  Kearny. — General  Pope  resigns  72 

CHAPTER  VI. 

rebel  INVASION  OF  MARYLAND. 

1862. — Result  of  Pope's  Campaign. — ^Rest  and  Recruit  at  Hall's  Hill. 
— My  Maryland ;  "  Its  Invasion. — Offensive  Policy  of  the  Re- 
bellion.— Pennsylvania  and  the  Whole  Country  Aroused. — Battle 
of  South  Mountain. — Harper's  Ferry. — Colonel  Miles. — His 
Treachery  and  Death. — Bloody  Battle  of  Antietam. — Drilling 
Kecruits. — The  Harris  Light  again  at  the  Front. — At  Chantilly. — 


Contents.  xiii 

PAGE. 

Sudley  Church.— Leesburg.—McClcllan  again  Relieved  from 
Command  .95 


CHAPTER  YIT. 

MCCLELLAN  SUCCEEDED  BY  BURNSIDE. 

1862.— Burnside's  First  Campaign. — Army  of  the  Potomac  in  Three 
Divisions. — Advance  from  Warrenton  to  Talmonth. — General 
Stahel's  Kaid  to  the  Shenandoah. — Laying  Pontoons  across  the 
Eappahannock  under  Fire.— Battle  of  Fredericksburg.— Daring 
Feats  and  General  Heroism. — Death  of  General  Bayard. — The 
Hospitals. — Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions. — Camp  "Bay- 
ard."— Camp-Fires. — Winter  Quarters. — Friendly  Eelations  of 
Pickets.— Trading.— Pay -Day.—"  Stuck  in  the  Mud."  .      .  .105 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  A  CAVALRY  CORPS. 
1863. — General  Hooker  assumes  Command  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac.—  Demoralization. — Reorganization. — A  Cavalry  Corps. — 
General  George  D.  Stoneman  in  Command. — Death  of  Sergeant 
May. — Forests  of  the  Old  Dominion. — The  Cavalryman  and  his 
Faithful  Horse. — Scenes  in  Winter  Quarters. — Kilpatrick. — His 
Character.— QuaHfications  of  the  True  Soldier. — A  New  Horse. 
— A  Mulish  Mule. — Kilpatrick's  Colored  Servants  in  Trouble. — 
Terrific  Hail-Storm. — Major  E.  F.  Cooke  Honored. — Colonel  Clar- 
ence Buel  124 


CHAPTER  IX. 

REBEL  CHIEFS  AND  THEIR  RAIDS, 

1863. — Rebel  Raids  by  Stuart,  Imboden,  and  Fitz-Hugh  Lee. — John 
S.  Mosby,  Guerilla  Chief — His  Character. — His  Command. — 
Daring  and  Plunder. — Aided  by  Citizens. — Condition  of  the 
Country  Favorable  for  their  Depredations.— Our  Picket  Lines 
too  Light. — Attacks  on  Pickets  at  Herndon  Station,  Cub  Run, 
and  Frying-Pan  Church. — Miss  Laura  Ratcliffe,  Mosby's  Inform- 
ant.—Mosby  at  Fairfax  Court  House.— Capture  of  General 
Stoughton.— Fight  at  Chantilly.— Mosby  lauded  by  His  Chiefs. — 
Mosby  beaten  at  Warrenton  Junction.— Severely  whipped  at 
Greenwich,  where  he  loses  a  Howitzer  captured  from  Colonel 
Baker  at  Ball's  Bluff.  143 


xiv 


Contents, 


CHAPTER  X. 

CHANCELLORSYILLE  AND  STOI^EMAN's  RAID. 

1863.— Review  of  tlie  Army  by  the  President. — Deserters  Pimisli- 
ed. — Sports  and  Pastimes. — Stoneman's  First  Move. — Storm. — 
Eeconnoissance  to  Warrenton. — Another  Move. — Other  Storms. — 
Catching  *' Eabbits."— Stoneman's  Great  Eaid  on  Lee's  Com- 
munications.— On  tlie  Virginia  Central  Kailroad. — Kilpatrick  at 
Louisa  Court  House. — He  Marches  upon  Richmond. — Bold  Ad- 
vance near  the  City. — Important  Captures. — Retreat  over  Meadow 
Bridge. — Destructions. — Bushwhackers. — Happy  Rencounter.  — 
Safe  Arrival  at  Gloucester  Point. — Public  Prints. — Battle  of 
Chancellorsville.  —  Heroism  and  Defeat.  —  Stonewall  Jackson 
Falls. — Hooker  Injured. — Retreat. — Orders  161 


CHAPTER  XI. 

FROM  YORKTOWN  TO  FALMOUTH. 
1863. — Curiosity  Satisfied. — Pastimes  on  the  York  River. — Religious 
Services;  their  Influence. — Raid  to  Mathias  Court  House. — 
Sickness  and  Recovery. — From  Gloucester  Point  to  Falmouth. — 
Exciting  Details. — Correspondence  of  Mr.  Young. — The  Press. 
— With  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  again. — Cavalry  Fight  at 
Brandy  Station. — Bold  Charge  of  the  First  Maine  Cavalry. — 
The  Chivalry  iiiirly  Beaten.— Death  of  Colonel  B.  F.  Davis, 
Eighth  New  York  Cavalry.— Interesting  Letter  of  a  Rebel  Chap- 
lain.— Casualties. — What  was  Gained  by  the  Reconnoissance. — 
Pleasonton  and  Kilpatrick  Promoted. — Rebels  Raiding  in  Mary- 
land 203 

CHAPTER  XII. 

SECOND  INVASION  OF  MARYLAND. — GETTYSBURG. 
1863. — Invasion  of  the  Northern  States. — Kilpatrick  at  Aldie. — The 
Bloody  Battle. — Daring  Deeds. — Colonel  Cesnola,  Fourth  New 
Y'ork  Cavalry. — Incidents. — Victory. — Advance  to  Ashby's  Gap. 
— ^Pleasonton's  Official  Report. — Rebel  Movements  on  Free  Soil. 
— Difficulties  in  the  North. — The  Cavalry  Corps  Crosses  the  Po- 
tomac at  Edward's  Ferry. — General  Meade  succeeds  Hooker. — 
Orders. — Changes  in  the  Cavalry. — Movements. — Kilpatrick'a 
Fight  with  Stuart  at  Hanover  Junction. — Solemn  and  Laughable 
Scenes. — Buford's  Division  Opens  the  Fight  at  Gettysburg. — 
Death  of  General  Reynolds. — First  Day's  Repulse.— Second  Day. 


Contents. 


XV 


PAGE. 

— Eebel  Advantages. — Tliird  Day. — Last  Grand  Effort. — Death 
of  General  Farnsworth.— The  Kepublic  just  Saved.     .      .  .225 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

RETKEAT  OF  THE  BEBELS  FROM  GETTYSBURG. 

1863. — National  Rejoicing. — The  Enemy  Retreating. — Feebly  Pur- 
sued.—Reconnoissances. — Kilpatrick  Gives  the  Enemy  a  Fourth 
of  July  Entertainment  at  Monterey  Pass. — Storm  and  Terror. — 
Immense  Train  Destroyed,  and  Hosts  of  Prisoners  Taken. — 
Pitiable  Condition  of  Stuart's  Cavalry. — ^Battle  of  Hagerstown. — 
Captains  Peufield  and  Dahlgren  Wounded. — Wonderful  Exploits 
of  a  Union  Scout. — Kilpatrick  and  Buford  at  Williamsport. — 
Cavalry  Fight  at  Boonsboro. — Stuart  Defeated. — Hagerstown  Re- 
taken.— Orders  to  Advance,  One  Day  Too  Late. — Kilpatrick 
Chases  the  Flying  Foe. — Fight  at  Falling  Waters,  Last  Act  in 
the  Drama. — Great  Bravery  of  Union  Troops. — Last  Vestige  of  , 
the  Invaders  Wiped  Out. — Bivouac  and  Best  267 

CHxiPTER  XIY. 

KILPATRICK's  GimBOAT  EXPEDITION. 

1863. — Escape  of  Lee  into  Virginia. — Eeasons. — Cavalry  Advance  into 
the  Valley  ma  Harper's  Ferry.— Riot  in  New  York  and  other 
Northern  Cities. — Again  Across  the  Potomac  on  "  Sacred  Soil." 
— Blackberries  and  Discipline. — Mails. — Battle  of  Manassas  Gap. 
— Mosby  Again,  and  His  Bands. — Kilpatrick's  Gunboat  Expe- 
dition on  the  Eappahannock.— Cavalry  Captures  Navy.— Com- 
plimented by  Superiors. — General  Advance  of  the  Army. — Third 
Cavalry  Battle  at  Brandy  Station. — Stuart's  Cavalry  Worsted  at 
Culpepper  Court  House. — Sharp  Artillery  Practice  at  Raccoon 
Ford,  on  the  Rapidan.— Special  Duties  and  Special  Dangers. —  . 
Good  Living  Along  the  Hazel  and  Robertson  Rivers. — Import- 
ant Reconnoissance  and  Raid. — Hard  Fighting  and  Narrow  Es- 
cape.—Needed  Rest  Received. — The  Paymaster. — Rebel  Plan  of 
Attack  Foiled  by  a  Citizen  Informer.— Suspicious  Activity  on 
Our  Front  298 

CHAPTER  Xy. 

CAPTURE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

1868.— Fight  at  James  City.— Music  of  Eetreat.— Fourth  Cavalry 
Fight  at  Brandy  Station.— Critical  Situation. — Kilpatrick  Un- 


xvi 


Contents, 


daunted. — Davics  and  Caster. — The  Grand  Charge. — The  Escape. 
— The  Scene. — Subsequent  Charges  and  Counter-charges. — The 
Cavalry  Kouted. — The  Eappahannock  Recrossed  in  Safety. — 
Infantry  Eeconnoissance  to  Brandy  Station. — Comical  Affair  at 
Bealeton  Station. — Thrilling  Adventure  of  Stuart.— His  Escape. 
— Battle  of  Bristoe. — Casualties.— Eetreat  Continued.— Destruc- 
tion of  Eailroad  by  the  Eebels. — Kilpatrick  at  Buckland  Mills. 
— Unpleasant  Surroundings. — Sagacity  and  Daring. — The  Au- 
thor's Capture. — Fall,  Insensibility,  Change  of  Scene. — The  End. 
— Introduced  to  Prison  Life  827 


of  MllxxBtxatiouB. 


PAGE. 


1.  Portrait  of  the  Author,       -  FroutiBpiece. 

2.  Our  Cavalry  Leaders,     -        --        --        --  17 

3.  Cavalry  Column  on  the  March,    -         -         -         -         .        -  37 

4.  IS'ight  Attack  on  Falmouth  Heights,            -        -        -        .  61 

5.  Burial  of  Captain  Walters  at  Midnight,  during  Pope^s  Retreat,     -  87 

6.  Federal  and  Rehel  Pickets  Meeting  on  the  Rappahannock,       -  119 

7.  Cavalry  Scouting  Party  Halting  for  the  ISTight,          -         -         -  173 

8.  Cavalry  Fight  at  Brandy  Station,          -----  215 

9.  The  Cavalry  Bivouac,         -         -   277 

10.  Cavalry  Battle  at  Bucklaud  Mills,  Ya.,  and  Capture  of  the  Author,  323 


THREE  YEARS  IN  THE  FEDERAL 
CAVALRY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION.— CONTEST  BEGUN. 

1861.— Enthusiasm  of  the  North.— Washmgton  Threatened.— Bull  Run, 
and  Its  Lessons. — General  Scott  and  the  Cavalry. — Enlistment  un- 
der Captain  Buel.— Harris  Light  Cavalry. — Leaving  Troy,  New 
York.— Captain  A.  N.  Duffi6.— Drilling  and  Fencing  at  Scarsdalo,  New 
York.— Bound  for  the  Seat  of  War.— Philadelphia.— Baltimore- 
Washington. — Camp  Oregon. 

THE  eleventh  of  April,  1861,  revealed  tlie  real  in- 
tention of  the  Southern  people  in  their  dastardly 
assault  upon  Fort  Sumter.  The  thunder  of  Eebel 
cannon  shook  tlie  air  not  only  around  Charleston,  but 
sent  its  thrilling  vibrations  to  the  remotest  sections 
of  the  country,  and  v^as  the  precursor  of  a  storm 
whose  wrath  no  one  anticipated.  This  shock  of  arms 
was  like  a  fire-alarm  in  our  great  cities,  and  the 
North  arose  in  its  might  with  a  grand  unanimity 
which  the  South  did  not  expect.  The  spirit  and 
principle  of  Eebellion  were  so  uncaused  and  unpro- 
voked, that  scarcely  could  any  one  be  found  at  home 
or  abroad  to  justify  them. 

President  Lincoln  thereupon  issued  a  call  for 


20 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


seventy-fiye  tliousand  men  to  uphold  and  vindicate 
the  authority  of  the  Government,  and  to  prove,  if 
possible,  that  secession  was  not  only  a  heresy  in  doc- 
trine, but  an  impracticability  in  the  American  Re- 
public. The  response  to  this  call  was  much  more 
general  than  the  most  sanguine  had  any  reason  to 
look  for.  The  enthusiasm  of  the  people  was  quite 
unbounded.  Individuals  encouraged  individuals  ;  fam- 
ilies aroused  families ;  communities  vied  with  com- 
munities, and  States  strove  with  States.  Who  could  be 
the  first  and  do  the  most,  was  the  noble  conten- 
tion wliich  everywhere  prevailed.  All  political  party 
lines  seemed  to  be  obliterated.  Under  this  renovating 
and  inspiring  spirit  the  work  of  raising  the  nucleus 
of  the  grandest  army  that  ever  swept  a  continent 
went  bravely  on.  Kegiments  were  rapidly  organized 
and  as  rapidly  as  possible  sent  forward  to  the  seat 
of  Government ;  and  so  vast  was  the  number  that 
presented  themselves  for  their  country's  defence,  that 
the  original  call  was  soon  more  than  filled,  and  the 
authorities  found  themselves  unable  to  accept  many 
organizations  whicli  were  eager  to  press  into  the  fray. 

Meanwhile  the  great  leaders  of  the  Eebellion 
v/ere  marshalling  the  hordes  of  treason,  and  assem- 
bling them  on  the  plains  of  Manassas,  with  the  un- 
doubted intention  of  moving  upon  the  national  capi- 
tal. This  point  determined  the  principal  theatre  of 
the  opening  contest,  and  around  it  on  every  side,  and 
particularly  southward,  was  to  be  the  aceldama  of 
America, — the  dreadful    field  of  blood." 

The  first  great  impulse  of  the  authorities  was  in 
the  direction  of  self-defence  (and  what  could  be  more 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavah^y,  21 

natural  and  proper  ?),  and  Washington  was  fortified 
and  garrisoned.  Tliis  done,  it  was  believed  that  the 
accumnlating  forces  of  the  Union,  which  had  become 
thoroughly  equipped  and  somewliat  disciplined, 
ought  to  advance  into  the  revolted  territory,  scatter 
the  defiant  hosts  of  the  enemy,  and  put  a  speedy  end 
to  the  slaveholders'  Eebellion.  But  the  hesitation 
and  indecision  which  prevailed  in  our  military  circles 
were  becoming  oppressive  and  unendurable,  and 
hence  the  cry  of  "  On  to  Eichmond !  "  was  heard 
from  the  Border  States  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  precipi- 
tating the  first  general  engagement  of  the  war.  Our 
defeat  at  Bull  Eun  was  a  totally  unexpected  disaster, 
which,  for  a  time,  it  was  feared,  would  chill  the  en- 
thusiasm and  greatly  weaken  the  energy  of  the 
North.  But  though  the  South  was  much  strength- 
ened and  emboldened  by  their  victory,  our  defeat  had 
its  own  curative  elements :  it  taught  us  that  the 
enemy  was  determined  and  powerful,  and  that  to 
overcome  him  the  ranks  of  the  Union  army  must  be 
filled  with  something  besides  three  months'  men,  or 
men  on  any  very  limited  term  of  enlistment.  Other 
lessons  were  also  gained  :  our  men  had  formed  some 
acquaintance  with  the  citizens  and  the  country  ;  they 
had  learned  the  importance  of  a  more  thorough  disci- 
pline and  organization  ;  and  those  who  had  gone  forth 
as  to  a  pic-nic  or  a  holiday,  sat  down  "  to  count  the 
cost  "  of  enduring  hardness  as  good  soldiers."  The 
nation  discovered  that  this  struggle  for  life  was  des- 
perate and  even  dubious,  and  it  was  thoroughly 
aroused. 

Under  the  military  regime  of  General  Winfield 


22        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

Scott,  the  cavalry-arm  of  tlie  service  had  been  almost 
entirely  overlooked.  His  j)revioiis  campaigns  in 
Mexico,  wliicli  consisted  mainly  of  the  investments 
of  walled  cities,  and  of  assaults  on  fortresses,  had  not 
been  favorable  to  extensive  cavalry  operations,  and 
he  was  not  disposed  at  so  advanced  an  age  in  life 
materially  to  change  his  tactics  of  war.  What  few 
regiments  of  cavalry  we  had  in  the  regular  army 
were  mostly  broken  np  into  small  detachments  for 
the  purpose  of  ranging  our  Western  frontiers,  while 
a  few  squads  were  patrolling  between  the  outposts 
of  our  new  army,  carrying  messages  from  camp  to 
camp,  and  pompously  escorting  the  commanding 
generals  in  their  grand  reviews  and  parades. 

But  the  Black  Horse  Cavalry  of  Virginia,  at  Bull 
Run,  unmatched  by  any  similar  force  on  our  side, 
had  demonstrated  the  efficiency  and  importance  of 
this  branch  of  the  service,  and  our  authorities  began 
to  change  their  views.  The  sentiment  of  the  people 
at  large  seemed  to  turn  in  the  same  channel,  and  a 
peculiar  enthusiasm  in  this  direction  was  perceptible 
everywhere.  It  was  as  though  the  spirit  of  the  old 
knight-errantry  had  suddenly  fallen  upon  us. 

I  was  in  Troy,  K" ew  York,  when  the  sad  intelligence 
of  the  reverse  to  our  arms  at  Bull  Bun,  was  received. 
This  was  followed  quickly  by  another  call  for  volun- 
teers, and  I  decided  without  hesitation  to  enter  the 
army.  In  accordance  with  my  resolve  I  enlisted  as 
a  private  soldier  at  Troy,  on  the  sixth  day  of  August, 
1861,  in  a  company  raised  by  Captain  Clarence  Buel, 
for  the  cavalry  service.  To  encounter  the  chivalrous 
Black  Horse  Cavalry,  of  Bull  Run  fame,  it  was  pro- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  23 


posed  to  raise  a  force  in  the  North,  and  as  Senator 
Ira  Harris,  of  New  York,  was  giving  this  organiza- 
tion his  patronage  and  influence,  a  brigade  was 
formed,  whose  banners  should  bear  his  name. 

Originally  the  regiment  to  which  my  company 
was  assigned  was  intended  for  the  regular  army,  and 
was  for  some  time  known  as  the  Seventh  United 
States  Cavalry  ;  but  the  Government  having  decided 
to  have  but  six  regiments  of  regular  cavalry,  and  as 
New  York  had  contributed  the  majority  of  the  men 
to  the  organization,  we  were  denominated  the  Sec- 
ond Regiment  of  New  York  Cavalry, Harris  Light." 
This  regiment  was  organized  by  J.  Mansfield  Davics, 
of  New  York,  as  colonel,  assisted  by  Judson  Kil- 
patrick,  of  New  Jersej^,  as  lieutenant-colonel.  The 
men  were  mostly  from  the  States  of  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Connecticut,  Yermont,  Pennsylvania,  and 
Indiana. 

August  13. — To-day  Captain  Buel's  company 
of  Trojans  was  summoned  together  for  the  purpose  of 
leaving  for  the  South.  Under  a  severe,  drenching 
rain  we  were  drawn  up  in  line  fronting  the  residence 
of  General  John  E.  Wool,  w^hen  the  old  veteran  deliv- 
ered a  most  heroic  address,  which  led  us  quite  to  for- 
get the  pelting  rain,  and  prepared  us  for  our  departure. 
The  boys  then  found  a  very  pleasant  shelter  on  board 
the  Yanderbilt,  bound  for  New  York  City.  The  day 
following  all  the  New  York  State  men  rendezvoused 
at  648  Broadway,  and  were  mustered  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States  by  Lieutenant-colonel  D.  B. 
Sackett,  of  the  regular  army.  At  four  o'clock  p.  m. 
we  were  ordered  aboard  a  train  of  cars,  and  told  that 


24         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

our  destination  was  Camp  Howe,  near  Scarsdale, 
twenty-fonr  miles  north  of  the  city,  between  the  Har- 
lem and  East  rivers.  We  reached  the  place  just  in 
time  to  pitch  our  tents  for  the  night — an  operation 
which  was  not  only  new  and  strange,  but  performed 
in  any  thing  but  a  workman-like  manner.  "We  had 
every  thing  to  learn,  and  this  was  our  first  lesson  in 
soldiering. 

Captain  A.  IsT.  Duffie,  of  Co.  A,  a  Frenchman 
and  graduate  of  the  military  school  of  St.  Cyr, 
France,  is  in  command  of  the  camp,  and  is  to  be  the 
superintendent  of  our  discipline  and  drill.  He  is 
undoubtedly  well  qualified  for  this  position. 

August  16. — This  morning  we  commenced  the 
inevitable  drill  on  foot,  as  we  are  still  without  horses. 
We  find  this  exercise  very  severe,  and  yet,  in  view 
of  its  great  importance,  we  accept  it  with  a  good  de- 
gree of  relish.  Our  drill-master  is  thorough  and 
rigidly  strict,  after  the  fashion  of  the  French  schools. 
We  cannot  avoid  learning  under  his  tuition.  In  the 
afternoon  we  were  set  to  policing  camp.  This  com- 
prises the  cleaning  of  one  of  the  roughest  farms  in 
the  country  of  stone.  And  as  a  remuneration  to  the 
owners  for  the  use  of  this  most  unsightly  of  God's 
forsaken  ground,  we  are  compelled  to  build  stone 
fences — a  very  unpleasant  introduction  to  military 
life,  and  an  occupation  which  by  no  means  accords 
with  our  ideas  of  a  soldier's  duties.  But  our  hands  toil 
with  a  protest  in  our  hearts,  and  with  a  certain  re- 
solve that  this  kind  of  fencing  must  not  long  continue. 

After  a  week  spent  in  drill  and  the  stone-wall  en- 
terprise, we  were  all  surprised  one  morning  with  an 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  25 

order  to  fall  into  line  to  receive  a  Napoleonic  lia- 
rangne  from  Captain  Duffie.  So  many  and  even 
loud  had  been  our  protests,  and  so  glaringly  mani- 
fest onr  rebellious  spirit  on  the  subject  of  fortifying 
a  farm  in  the  State  of  New  York,  that  the  captain 
undoubtedly  feared  that  he  might  not  be  very  zeal- 
ously supported  by  us  in  his  future  movements,  and 
so,  like  Napoleon,  on  assuming  command  of  the  army 
of  Italy,  he  sought  to  test  the  devotion  of  his  men. 
After  amusing  us  awhile  in  his  broken  English,  and 
arousing  us  by  his  touching  appeals  to  our  patriotism 
and  honor,  at  length  he  shouted,  "  Now  as  many  of 
you  as  are  ready  to  follow  me  to  the  cannon's  mouth, 
take  one  step  to  the  front."  This  dernier  resort  to 
pride  was  perfectly  successful,  and  the  whole  line 
took  the  desired  step.  We  w^ere  then  ordered  to  be 
ready  to  leave  camp  at  eleven  o'clock  that  morning, 
which  was  on  the  twentieth  of  August,  assured  that 
"Washington,  D.  C,  Avas  our  destination. 

Our  ranks  were  quickly  broken,  and  all  due  pre- 
paration made  for  our  departure.  After  marching  to 
Scarsdale  we  took  cars  and  were  soon  landed  in  the 
metropolis,  through  the  principal  streets  of  which  our 
command  passed  to  the  Jersey  City  ferry.  Without 
much  delay  we  reached  Philadelphia  in  the  evening, 
where  we  were  bountifully  supplied  with  rations  by 
her  proverbially  generous  and  patriotic  people.  True 
to  the  instinct  of  Brotherly  Love,"  the  citizens  are 
making  arrangements  such  as  would  indicate  that  mil- 
lions of  Union  soldiers  might  be  fed  at  their  tables. 
Here  we  spent  the  night.  The  next  morning  at  6.30 
we  were  on  our  way  southward.    A  brief  halt  was 


26         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

made  in  Baltimorej  whose  streets  still  seem  to  be 
speaking  of  the  blood  of  the  brave  Massachusetts 
men.   And  as  we  march  along,  we  can  but  recall  the 

poet's  prophesy  : 

And  the  Eagle,  never  dying,  still  is  trying,  still  is  trying. 

With  its  wings  upon  the  map  to  hide  a  city  with  its  gore ; 

But  the  name  is  there  forever,  and  it  shall  be  hidden  never, 

While  the  awful  brand  of  murder  points  the  Avenger  to  its  shore ; 
While  the  blood  of  peaceful  brothers  God's  dread  vengeance  doth 
implore, 

Thou  art  doomed,  0  Baltimore!" 

At  4  o'clock  p.  M.  we  beheld  the  dome  of  the 
nation's  capitol,  and,  after  landing,  we  were  marched 
to  the  eastern  part  of  the  city,  and  pitched  tents  near 
Camp  Oregon — named  thus  in  honor  of  Colonel  Ed- 
ward D.  Baker,  who  represented  that  Territory  in 
the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  previous  to  his  ac- 
ceptance of  a  military  commission,  and  who  is  now 
in  command  of  the  famous  California  regiment  which 
occupies  this  camp. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


27 


CHAPTEE  II. 

CAMP-LIFE  AND  ITS  INFLUENCES. 

1861.— Our  iinmilitary  Appearance.— First  Equipage.— My  Black  Mare.— 
Good  and  Evil  Influences.— News-Boys.— Mail-Bag.— Letter-Writ- 
ing.—The  Bugle  Corps.— Camp  Guard.— Guerillas  under  Turner  Ash- 
by.— Mounted  Drill.— Laughable  Experiences  with  Horses.— Southern 
Egotism. — Northern  Fancies. 

DEILL !  drill !  and  camp-police  are  the  order  of 
the  day.  Indeed  we  have  nothing  else  to  do,  and 
to  do  nothing  at  all  is  the  hardest  kind  of  work.  We 
expect  soon  to  have  some  accoutrements  to  enable  ns 
to  drill  something  besides  our  feet.  Our  prepara- 
tions for  war  have  commenced  at  the  extremities ;  for 
thus  far  nothing  but  our  heads  and  feet  have  been 
instructed.  However,  as  we  become  better  acquaint- 
ed with  this  part  of  our  duty  we  enjoy  it  better  than 
at  tirst,  and  we  think  we  are  making  no  very  mean 
progress. 

For  some  time  after  our  arrival  here,  the  Govern- 
ment was  unable  to  supply  us  with  uniforms,  or 
weapons  of  war,  and  our  appearance  was  far  from 
being  d  la  militaire^  as  Captain  Duffie  would  have 
it.  Coming  as  we  did  from  colleges  and  schools, 
from  offices  and  counting-rooms,  from  shops  and 
farms,  and  some  from  no  occupation  at  all,  each  with 
the  peculiar  dress  he  wore  when  he  enlisted,  and 
2 


28         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Ca/valrt/. 

already  pretty  well  worn  out  by  our  labors  at  Camp 
Howe  and  extensive  travelling,  w^e  were  a  most  un- 
sightly,  heterogeneous  mass  of  humanity,  and  were  a 
subject  of  no  little  sport  to  our  bet ter-clad  fellow-sol- 
diers. Especially  was  this  the  case  when  on  a  certain 
day  General  B.  F.  Butler  reviewed  the  troops  of  this 
department,  and  we  were  made  to  appear  before  him 
and  the  multitude  with  our  hats  and  caps,  our  coats  and 
jackets,  in  nearly  all  colors,  and  many  of  them  in  rags 
and  shags.  We  certainly  had  nothing  to  recommend" 
us  to  the  consideration  of  military  men,  except  the 
courageous  spirit  that  throbbed  in  our  generally  ro- 
bust frames.  But  we  were  hopeful  of  better  days, 
when  we  might  have  the  appearance  and  equipage 
as  well  as  the  internal  qualities  of  soldiers. 

But  the  Government  was  so  wholly  unprepared 
for  war,  that  our  supplies  were  received  very  slowly. 
First  came  our  uniforms,  w^hich  every  man  donned 
gladly,  and  yet  with  a  feeling  that  the  last  link  to 
civil  life,  for  the  present,  was  severed,  and  that  hence- 
forth in  a  peculiar  sense  we  belonged  to  our  com- 
mon country. 

A  few  days  after  our  arrival  at  Camp  Oregon,  we 
were  joined  by  the  men  who  belonged  to  our  regiment 
from  other  States.  This  added  fresh  enthusiasm,  as 
well  as  new  strength,  to  our  ranks.  However,  there  is 
as  yet  nothing  in  our  tout  ensemlle  to  distinguish  us 
from  infantry  or  artillery,  except  the  yellow  trim- 
ming of  our  blue  uniforms,  whereas  the  infantry  has 
the  light-blue  trimming,  and  the  artillery  bright  red. 

Avgust  23, — To-day  I  am  happy  to  make  the 
Following  entry  in  my  diary,  namely :  the  regiment 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  29 

was  furnished  with  sabres,  Colt's  revolvers  and  all 
the  necessary  appendages,  consisting  of  belts  and  am- 
munition-boxes. Every  man  has  now  a  new  care 
and  pride — to  keep  his  sabre  bright,  and  his  entire 
outUt  clean,  that  he  may  wear  them  with  pleasure 
to  himself  and  honor  to  his  comrades.  The  morning 
and  evening  of  the  24th  were  spent  in  sabre  exer- 
cise, with  Vv^hich  we  were  all  delighted.  Tliis  is  the 
first  development  in  us  of  the  cavalry  element  as 
such,  and  we  begin  to  feel  our  individuality.  We 
desire  to  have  this  growth  continue  uninterruptedly, 
and  in  aid  of  it,  in  the  early  part  of  September,  came 
quite  a  large  installment  of  horses  and  equipments. 
This  occurred  while  the  regiment  occupied  a  camp 
about  three  miles  from  Washington,  on  the  Bladens- 
burg  road,  which  we  named  Sussex,  in  honor  of  Sus- 
sex county,  IN'ew  York,  our  colonel's  native  county. 
As  the  number  of  horses  furnished  us  at  this  time 
was  not  sufficient  to  mount  the  whole  command,  the 
number  received  by  each  company  was  proportioned 
to  the  .  maximum  roll  of  its  men.  After  the  non- 
commissioned officers  of  each  company,  including  all 
the  sergeants  and  corporals,  had  drawn  their  horses 
according  to  rank,  the  privates  were  made  to  draw 
lots  for  the  remainder — a  performance  which  pro- 
duced no  little  amount  of  excitement. 

Several  of  our  comrades  were  of  course  unfor- 
tunately compelled  for  several  days  to  march  on  foot, 
thougli  much  against  their  wishes  ;  for  nothing  could 
be  more  humiliating  to  a  dragoon  than  to  be  trudging 
through  the  mud  and  dust,  while  his  companions 
were  gliding  past  him  with  their  neighing  steeds, 


30         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

on  their  way  to  the  drill-grounds,  or  to  any  other 
post  of  duty.  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  be  the 
recipient  of  a  beautiful  black  mare,  only  five  years 
old,  full  of  life  and  fiery  metal,  fourteen  hands  high, 
and  weighing  ten  hundred  pounds.  She  was  a  gem 
for  the  cavalry  service,  or  any  thing  else,  and  a  friend- 
ship was  to  grow  up  between  us  worthy  of  historic 
mention. 

"We  are  now  fairly  out  upon  the  ocean  of  our  new 
life,  and  are  beginning  to  feel  its  influence.  It  does 
not  take  the  careful  observer  long  to  notice  the  effects 
which  outward  changes  and  circumstances  have  upon 
the  characters  of  most  men.  Indeed,  no  man  remains 
unaffected  by  them  ;  he  either  advances  or  retrogrades, 
and  it  is  very  apparent  already  among  us  tha^t  while 
soldiering  does  make  some  men,  it  i^^i makes  many. 
The  very  lowest  stratum  of  life  among  us,  such  as  re- 
presents the  loungers  in  the  streets  and  lanes  of  our 
cities, — those  who  have  neither  occupation  nor  cul- 
ture, is  amazingly  influenced  for  the  better  by  mili- 
tary discipline.  These  men  now  find  themselves  with 
something  to  do,  and  with  somebody  to  make  them 
do  it.  The  progress  is  very  slow,  it  is  true,  and  in 
some  cases  exceptional,  but  this  is  evidently  the  gen- 
eral tendency. 

But  on  the  other  hand,  our  regiment  is  made  up 
partly  of  young  men  from  respectable  families,  reared 
under  the  influences  of  a  pure  morality;  but  they 
find  that  the  highest  standard  of  morality  presented 
here  is  much  lower  than  they  were  wont  to  have  at 
home,  and  they  soon  begin  to  waver.  Thus  having 
lost  their  first  moorings  of  character,  they  start  down- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  31 

ward,  and  in  many  instances  are  precipitated  to  hor* 
rible  depths. 

"  When  once  a  shaking  monarchy  declines, 
Each  thing  grows  bold  and  to  its  fall  combines." 

Only  a  very  few  have  sufficient  force  in  themselves 
to  effectually  resist  these  evils.  It  must  be  remem- 
bered that  the  wholesome  and  normal  restraints  of 
virtuous  female  society  are  wholly  removed  from  us. 
And  from  what  we  daily  see  around  us  we  are  convinced 
that  a  colony  of  men  only,  however  virtuous  or  moral, 
would  in  a  short  time  ran  into  utter  barbarism.  JSTo 
candid  observer  can  doubt  the  teaching  of  the  old 
scripture,  that     it  is  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone." 

Moreover,  the  friends  and  associates  of  our  child- 
hood's innocence,  whose  presence  always  calls  forth 
the  purest  memories,  are  not  with  us ;  nor  do  we  feel 
the  almost  omnipotent  influences  of  the  old  school- 
house  gatherings,  of  the  cliurch-going  bell,  and  of  the 
home-lireside.  When  you  sever  all  these  ties  and 
helps  to  a  moral  life,  and  throw  a  man  in  the  im- 
mediate association  of  the  vicious,  he  must  be  only  a 
little  less  than  an  angel  not  to  fall.  Here  we  are  all 
dressed  alike,  live  alike,  and  are  all  subject  to  like 
laws  and  discipline.  The  very  man  who  shares  our 
blanket  and  tent-cover,  who  draws  rations  from  the 
same  kettle,  who  drinks  from  the  same  canteen,  and 
with  whom  we  are  compelled  to  come  in  contact  daily, 
may  be  the  veriest  poltroon,  whose  diploma  shows 
graduation  at  the  Five  Points,  and  whose  presence 
alone  is  morally  miasmatic.  Consequently  our  camp 
is  infested  more  or  less  with  gambling,  drunkenness, 


82         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


and  profanity,  and  all  their  train  of  attending  evils,  and 
at  times  we  long  for  campaigning  in  the  jfield,  where  it 
seems  to  ns  w^e  may  rid  ourselves  of  this  demoralization. 
Hannibal's  toilsome  marches  across  the  Alps  and 
through  Upper  Italy  only  gave  hardihood  and  courage 
to  his  legions,  who  came  thundering  at  the  very  gates 
of  Eorae,  and  threatening  its  immediate  overthrow ; 
but  a  winter's  camp-life  at  Capua  left  them  shorn  of 
their  strength. 

But  then  we  have  remedial  influences  even  in 
camp,  and  we  hail  them  with  no  little  delight.  Daily 
the  news-boys  make  their  appearance,  calling  out: 
Washington  Chronicle  and  New  York  papers !  " 
They  enjoy  an  extensive  patronage.  With  these 
sheets  many  moments  are  pleasantly  spent,  as  their 
columns  are  eagerly  perused.  Then,  following  hard 
on  the  track  of  the  news-boys,  comes  our  adjutant's 
orderly  or  courier  with  a  mail-bag  full  of  letters,  pre- 
cious mementos  from  the  loved  ones  at  home.  These 
messages  are  the  best  reminders  we  have  of  our  home- 
life,  especially  when  they  are  brim-full,  as  is  usually 
the  case,  with  patriotic  sparkling,  and  with  affection's 
purest  libations.  These  letters  have  a  double  influence  ; 
while  they  keep  the  memories  of  home  more  or  less 
bright  within  us,  and  at  times  so  bright  that  as  we 
read  we  can  almost  see  our  mothers,  wives,  and  sisters 
in  their  tender  Christian  solicitude  for  us,  they  also 
stimulate  us  to  greater  improvements  in  the  episto- 
lary art.  Men  who  never  wrote  a  letter  in  their  lives 
before,  are  at  it  now ;  those  who  cannot  write  at  all, 
are  either  learning,  or  engage  their  comrades  to  write 
for  them,  and  the  command  is  doing  more  writing  in 


Three  Years  in  tli^  Federal  Cavalry.  33 

one  day  than,  I  should  judge,  we  used  to  do  in  a 
month,  and,  perhaps,  a  year. 

No  sooner  are  the  contents  of  the  mail-bag  dis- 
tributed, and  devoured  by  the  eager  newsmongers, 
than  active  preparations  are  made  for  responding. 
Some  men  cany  pocket-inkstands  and  write  with  pens, 
but  the  majority  use  pencils.  Here  you  see  one  seated 
on  a  stump  or  fence,  addressing  his  "  sweet-heart or 
somebody  else  ;  another  writes  standing  up  against  a 
tree,  while  a  third  is  lyii^g  flat  on  the  ground.  Thus 
either  in  the  tents  or  in  the  open  air,  scribbling  is 
going  on,  and  the  return  mail  will  carry  many  sweet 
words  to  those  who  cannot  be  wholly  forgotten.  I 
suppose  in  this  way  we  are  not  only  making,  but 
writing  history.  Camp-life  then  is  not  entirely  mono- 
tonous. 

THE  BUGLE-CORPS. 

Sights  and  sounds  of  interest  may  be  seen  and 
heard  at  almost  every  hour  of  the  day.  The  morning 
is  ushered  in  with  the  shrill  reveille,  which  means 
awake  and  arise.  This  is  well  executed  by  our  bugle- 
corps,  which  Captain  Dufiie  has  organized,  and  is 
drilling  thoroughly.  All  our  movements  are  now 
ordered  by  the  bugle.  By  its  blast  we  are  called  to 
our  breakfast,  dinner  and  supper.  EoU-call  is  sound- 
ed twice  a  day,  and  the  companies  fall  into  line,  w^hen 
the  first  sergeants  easily  ascertain  whether  every  man 
is  at  his  post  of  duty.  The  bugle  calls  the  sick,  and 
sometimes  those  who  feign  to  be,  to  the  surgeon's 
quarters,  and  their  wants  and  woes  are  attended  to. 
By  the  bugle  we  are  summoned  to  inspections,  to  camp- 
guard,  to  the  feeding  and  watering  of  our  horses  and 
2* 


34:        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

to  drill.  A  peculiarly  shrill  call  is  that  which  brings 
all  the  first  or  orderly  sergeants  to  the  adjutant's  quar- 
ters to  receive  any  special  order  he  may  have  to  com- 
mnnicate. 

Thus  call  after  call  is  sounded  at  intervals  through- 
out the  day,  ending  with  taps,"  which  is  the  signal 
for  blowing  out  the  lights,  and  seeking  the  rest  which 
night  demands. 

CAMP  GUARD. 

Our  principal  duties  now  are  camp  guard  and 
drill,  which  we  perform  by  turns.  Every  morning 
quite  a  large  force  is  detailed,  with  a  commissioned 
officer  in  command,  for  guard  duty.  These  form  a 
line  of  dismounted  pickets,  or  vedettes,  around  the 
entire  camp.  They  are  stationed  within  sight  and 
hailing  distance  of  each  other,  enabling  them  to  pre- 
vent any  one  from  leaving  or  entering  camp  without 
a  written  pass  in  the  day-time,  or  the  countersign  at 
night.  The  rule  is  to  have  each  man  stand  post  for 
two  hours,  when  he  is  relieved.  This  is  the  maximum 
time,  and  is  sometimes  made  less  at  the  discretion  of 
the  commandant. 

We  are  told,  as  we  perform  this  duty,  that  it  is 
not  very  unlike  the  picketing  that  will  be  required 
of  us  if  we  are  ever  permitted  to  take  the  field  which 
confronts  the  enemy.  Indeed,  this  is  picketing  on  a 
small  scale.  And  our  enthusiasm  in  this  branch  of 
our  work  increases,  as  we  are  almost  daily  in  receipt 
of  accounts  of  attacks  on  our  pickets  along  the  line  of 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  and  the  Cumber- 
land Canal.  It  appears  that  a  certain  Colonel  Turner 
Ashby,  with  a  force  of  cavaliers  (?)  acting  as  gueril- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  35 

las,  singly  and  in  squads,  is  nightly  endeavoring  to 
sever  our  telegraph  wires,  to  burn  our  railroad-bridges, 
and  to  destroy  the  canal,  or  fire  at  our  men  on  the 
passing  boats  ;  and  not  unfrequently  we  read  of  skir- 
mishes in  which  several  of  our  pickets  have  been 
either  captured,  wounded,  or  killed.  Of  course,  we 
expect  before  long  to  face  Mr.  Ashby  and  his  confed- 
erates, and  we  are  preparing  ourselves  for  it. 

MOUNTED  DRILL. 

But  this  we  do  especially  in  the  drill.  Recently 
the  balance  of  our  men  were  gladdened  with  a  full 
supply  of  horses.  Mounted  drill  is  now  the  general 
order,  and  nearly  all  our  time  not  otherwise  occupied 
is  devoted  to  this  exercise.  At  first  we  had  some  ex- 
citing times  with  our  young  and  untrained  horses. 
One  of  our  men  received  a  kick  from  his  horse  which 
proved  fatal  to  his  life.  Several  of  our  wildest  and 
seemingly  incorrigible  ones  we  have  been  compelled 
to  run  up  the  steepest  hills  in  the  vicinity,  under  the 
wholesome  discipline  of  sharp  spurs,  until  the  evil 
has  been  sweated  out  of  them.  We  find,  however, 
that  the  trouble  is  not  only  with  the  horses,  but  fre- 
quently with  the  men,  many  of  whom  have  never 
bridled  a  horse  nor  touched  a  saddle.  And  then,  too, 
these  curbed  bits  in  the  mouths  of  animals  that  had 
been  trained  with  the  common  bridle,  produced  a 
most  rebellious  temper,  causing  many  of  them  to  rear 
up  in  the  air  as  though  they  had  suddenly  been  trans- 
formed  into  monstrous  kangaroos,  while  the  riders 
showed  signs  of  having  taken  lessons  in  somersets. 
Some  of  the  scenes  are  more  than  ludicrous.  Horses 


36         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

and  men  are  acting  very  awkwardly,  also,  witli  the 
gniding  of  the  animal  by  the  rein  against  the  neck, 
and  not  by  the  bit,  as  w^e  were  accustomed  to  do  at 
home. 

We  do  not  wonder  much  that  the  chivalrous  Black 
Horse  gentry  have  expressed  their  contempt  of  North- 
ern "mudsills  and  greasy  mechanics,"  and  have  made 
their  brags  that  we  could  never  match  them.  But 
then  it  is  said  that  these  Southrons  were  born  in  a 
saddle,  and  were  always  trained  in  horsemanship. 
They  generally  perform  their  pleasure  excursions,  go 
on  their  business  journeys,  and  even  to  church,  on 
horseback.  They  were  therefore  prepared  for  the 
cavalry  service,  before  we  had  so  much  as  thought  of 
it.  But  let  them  beware  of  what  they  think  or  say, 
for  we  can  learn^  and  it  does  frequently  occur  that 
somewhere  in  the  experience  of  contending  parties, 
the  first  is  last,  and  the  last  first." 

We  are  improving  rapidly.  There  is  so  much  exhil- 
aration in  the  shrill  bugle-notes  which  order  the  move- 
ments of  the  drill,  and  so  much  life  in  its  swift  evolu- 
tious,  that  the  men  and  horses  seem  to  dance  rather 
than  walk  on  their  way  to  the  drill  grounds,  and  both 
are  readily  learning  the  certain  sounds  of  the  trumpet, 
and  becoming  masters  of  motions  and  dispositions  re- 
quired of  them.  Like  all  other  apprentices,  of  course, 
we  occasionally  indulge  in  the  reveries  of  imagina- 
tion, and  we  think  we  are  laying  the  foundation  of  a 
career  which  is  destined  to  be  important  and  glorious. 
Be  this  as  it  may,  we  do  not  mean  to  be  outstripped 
by  any  one  in  our  knowledge  and  practice  of  cavalry 
tactics,  and  of  the  general  manoeuvrings  of  war. 


THE  U'^''^^^ 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


39 


CIIAPTEE  III. 

PREPARATIONS  FOR  ACTIVE  SERVICE. 

1S61. — ^First  Advance. — Contrabands,"  their  Hopes  and  Treatment. — 
Union  Ranks  Filling  Up. — Promotion. — Foraging  and  its  Obstacles. — 
Scouting  and  its  Aim. — Senator  Harris  visits  the  Command. — Ball's 
Bluff.— Recruiting  Service. — Interesting  Incidents. — Camp  Palmer. — 
Contrabands"  at  Work. — Drilling  near  Arlington  Heights. — Colonel 
George  D.  Bayard. — Fight  at  Drainesville. 

OCTOBER  15, 1861.— The  Harris  Light  broke  camp 
at  eight  o'clock,  a.  m.,  and  marched  proudly 
through  Washington,  crossed  the  famous  Long  Bridge 
over  the  Potomac,  and  moved  forward  to  Mnnson's 
Hill,  in  full  view  of  onr  infantry  outposts,  where  we  es- 
tablished a  new  camp,  calling  it  Advance."  For  the 
first  time  our  horses  remained  saddled  through  the 
night,  and  the  men  slept  on  their  arms.  To  us  this 
w^as  a  new  and  exciting  phase  of  life. 

Since  our  retreat  from  Bull  Run,  the  Rebel  army 
has  made  itself  formidable  on  this  line,  and  though 
no  active  movements  have  been  attempted  on  Wash- 
ington, we  are,  nevertheless,  apprehensive  of  such  a 
measure  on  their  part.  Hence  our  picket  lines  are 
doubly  strong  and  vigilant,  while  every  means  is  re- 
sorted to  to  ascertain  the  position,  strength,  and  inten- 
tion of  our  wily  foe. 

Frequently  "  contrabands  "  feel  their  way  through 
the  enemy's  pickets  under  cover  of  the  night,  and 


40         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavdl/ry. 

through  the  tangled  brushwood  which  abounds,  and 
reach  our  lines  safely.  From  them  we  gain  much 
valuable  information  of  the  state  of  things  in  Dix- 
ie." Some  of  them,  we  learn,  w^ere  employed  by 
Rebel  leaders  in  constructing  forts  and  earthworks, 
and  in  various  ways  were  made  to  contribute  muscle 
to  the  Soutliern  Confederacy.  They  have  strange  and 
exciting  stories  to  tell  us,  and  yet  it  seems  as  though 
they  might  be  of  great  service  to  us,  if  we  saw  fit  to 
employ  them,  as  guides  in  our  movements.  Their 
heart  is  with  us  in  this  conflict.  They  hail  us  as 
friends,  and  entertain  wild  notions  about  a  jubilee  of 
liberty,  for  which  they  are  ever  praying  and  singing, 
and  look  upon  us  as  their  deliverers.  How  they  have 
formed  such  opinions  is  somewhat  difficult  to  conjec- 
ture, especially  when  we  consider  the  anomalous 
treatment  they  have  received  from  our  hands.  The 
authorities  have  seemed  to  be  puzzled  with  regard  to 
them ;  and  there  are  cases  where  they  have  even  been 
returned  to  their  former  owners.  And  yet  there  seems 
to  be  an  instinctive  prophecy  in  their  natures,  which 
leads  them  to  look  to  l^orthmen  for  freedom.  Their 
presence  in  our  camps  becomes  a  sort  of  inspiration 
to  most  of  us,  and  we  only  wish  that  their  prayers 
may  be  answered,  and  that  every  chain  of  servitude 
may  be  broken.  This  sentiment  at  times  breaks  out 
in  such  as  the  following  poetic  strain  : 

"  In  the  beauty  of  the  lily  Christ  was  born  across  the  sea, 
With  a  glory  in  His  bosom  that  transfigures  you  and  nio 
As  He  died  to  make  men  holy,  let  us  die  to  make  them  free." 

And  as  slavery  was  the  cause,  and  not,  as  some  say, 
the  pretext,  of  the  war,  if  the  Union  arms  succeed, 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cawalry,  41 

this  irrepressible  conflict "  and  villanons  wrong  must 
come  to  an  end. 

Our  confi.dence  in  the  ultimate  success  of  our  arms 
is  daily  increasing.  Since  the  first  of  August  our 
ranks  have  been  wonderfully  swelled  ;  and  now  regi- 
ment after  regiment,  battery  after  battery,  is  pouring 
in  from  the  North,  filling  the  camps  of  instruction, 
and  manning  the  fortifications  around  Washington. 
Meanwhile,  earthworks  are  being  constructed  on  all 
the  high  hills  and  commanding  positions ;  strong 
abatis  are  made  of  the  forest-trees,  and  every  thing 
done  that  can  give  the  city  an  air  of  security,  and  the 
country  round  about  the  appearance  of  a  bristling 
porcupine.  Should  this  influx  of  troops  continue,  we 
shall  be  compelled  to  advance  our  lines  for  very  room 
on  which  to  station  them.  We  have  some  intimations 
that  our  advance  to  this  point  to-day  is  preparatory  to 
such  a  movement. 

The  day  following  our  advance  I  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  corporal,  on  the  recommendation  of  Cap- 
tain Buel,  my  appointment  to  date  from  the  fifteenth. 
On  the  sixteenth  our  Lines  were  advanced  to  Yienna, 
a  station  on  the  Leesburgh  Railroad,  and  on  the  sev- 
enteenth as  far  as  Fairfax  Court  House,  the  Confed- 
erates falling  back  toward  Centreville  and  Manassas 
without  offering  the  least  resistance. 

FORAGING  AND  SCOUTING. 

We  are  spending  our  time  mostly  in  foraging, 
scouting,  and  patroling.  In  consequence  of  imper- 
fect transportation,  the  cavalry  especially  is  compelled 
to  seek  its  own  forage,  with  which,  however,  the 


42         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Camlry. 

country  abounds.  Com  is  found  in  right  smart 
heaps,"  as  the  natives  say,  either  in  the  fields  or 
barns,  and  hayricks  dot  the  country  on  every  side. 
But  there  is  a  certain  degree  of  scrupulousness  on  the 
part  of  some  of  our  commanders  with  regard  to  ap- 
propriating the  ;[ftoduce  of  the  ''sacred  soil "  to  our 
own  use,  which  greatly  embarrasses  our  foraging  ex- 
peditions, and  exasperates  not  a  little  those  of  us  who 
are  needy  of  tJie  things  we  are  at  times  ordered  not  to 
take.  It  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  find  one  of  our 
men  stationed  as  safeguard  over  the  property  of  a 
most  bitter  Kebel — property  which,  in  our  judgment, 
ouglit  to  be  confiscated  to  the  use  of  the  Union,  or 
utterly  destroyed.  We  do  not  believe  in  handling 
Rebels  with  kid  gloves,  and  especially  when  we  know 
that  the  very  men  w^hom  we  protect  are  constantly 
giving  information  to  the  enemy  of  all  our  move- 
ments, and  using  their  property  whenever  they  can  to 
aid  and  comfort  the  cause  of  treason.  We  are  too 
forcibly  reminded  of  the  fable  we  used  to  read  in  our 
schoolboy  days,  of  the  Farmer  and  the  Yiper.  We 
are  only  warming  into  new  life  and  strength  this  virus 
of  Eebellion,  to  have  it  recoil  upon  ourselves.  We 
hope  our  authorities  will  soon  discover  their  error,  and 
change  their  tactics. 

Our  scouting  is  on  a  limited  scale,  though  it  afibrds 
considerable  exercise  and  excitement.  Thereby  we 
are  learning  the  topography  of  the  country,  and  mak- 
ing small  maps  of  the  same.  We  are  traversing  the 
forests,  through  the  wood-roads  and  by-paths  which 
run  in  every  direction  ;  strolling  by  the  streams  and 
ravines,  and  gaining  all  the  information  which  can  be 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cmalry.  43 

of  use  to  us  in  future  manceuyrings.  We  scout  in 
small  squads  over  the  entire  area  occupied  by  our 
forces,  and  often  beyond ;  and,  now  and  then,  more 
frequently  in  the  night,  we  patrol  between  our  picket 
posts,  to  ascertain  that  all  is  well  at  the  points  most 
exposed  to  danger.  The  principal  object  of  scout- 
ing is  to  learn  the  streiigth  and  position  of  the  ene- 
my, while  the  object  of  patrolling  is  to  learn  our 
own. 

October  20. — To-day  the  regiment  was  honored 
by  a  visit  from  its  patron,  Senator  Ira  Harris.  After 
witnessing  a  mounted  drill  and  parade,  which  pleased 
him  much,  he  presented  us  a  beautiful  stand  of  colors, 
accompanied  by  an  appropriate  and  eloquent  address. 
He  made  especial  reference  to  the  object  of  the  organ- 
ization, the  hopes  of  its  friends,  and  their  earnest 
j)rayers  for  its  future  usefulness  and  success.  He 
dwelt  enthusiastically  upon  the  work  before  us.  At 
the  close  of  the  speech  the  command  responded  with 
a  rousing  round  of  cheers,  expressive  of  their  thankful- 
ness for  the  banner  and  of  their  determination  to  keep 
it,  to  stand  by  it,  and  to  defend  it  even  with  their 
lives.    The  occasion  was  one  to  be  remembered. 

BALL'S  BLUFF. 

Another  great  pall  of  sadness  has  fallen  upon  our 
soldiers.  The  papers  bring  intelligence  of  our  terrible 
disaster  at  Ball's  Bluff,  and  the  promising  Colonel  E. 
D.  Baker  has  fallen,  while  gallantly  leading  his  noble 
Californians.  Discussions  as  to  the  cause  or  causes  of 
that  fatal  advance  and  bloody  retreat  are  going  on 
throughout  our  camps.    It  does  seem  to  many  as 


44        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

though  gross  incompetency  or  treachery  must  have 
influenced  the  authorities  having  immediate  oversight 
of  the  afiair,  and  that  our  failen  braves  have  been 
needlessly  immolated  upon  their  country's  altar. 

"  Big  Bethel,  Bull  Enn,  and  Ball's  Bluff, 
Oh,  jilliteration  of  blunders ! 
Of  blunders  more  than  enough, 
In  a  time  full  of  blunders  and  wonders.'* 

But  the  boys  are  enthusiastic  over  the  bravery  of 
our  nineteen  hundred,  who  fought  against  a  force 
more  than  twice  their  number,  with  all  the  advantage 
of  position  and  knowledge  of  the  country.  All  our 
battles  have  proven  that  our  men  can  fight,  and, 
though  Providence  seems  to  have  been  against  us  thus 
far,  for  reasons  most  inscrutable,  we  will  not  waver  in 
our  determination  to  dare  or  die  in  the  contest.  Our 
chief  difficulties  are  not  in  the  rank  and  file  of  the 
army,  but  in  the  general  management  of  the  forces, 
and  we  trust  that  ere  long  right  men  will  be  found  to 
take  the  places  of  incompetent  ones. 

RECRUITING  SERVICE. 

October  28. — To-day  I  was  detailed  by  Colonel 
Davies  to  proceed  to  New  York  with  Lieutenant 
Morton,  on  recruiting  service.  We  went  on  to  New- 
burgh,  near  the  lieutenant's  native  home,  where  we 
spent  a  few  days  together,  but  on  the  first  of  Novem- 
ber I  was  ordered  to  Troy,  to  act  independently.  I 
spent  several  weeks  in  this  peculiar  work,  and  w^ith 
good  success. 

Though  recruiting  offices  could  be  found  on  all  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  45 

principal  streets  of  our  cities  and  villages,  yet  a  good 
business  was  done  by  them  all,  such,  was  the  enthusi- 
asm which  prevailed  among  the  people.  War-meet- 
ings were  frequently  held,  and  addressed  by  our  best 
orators.  The  press,  with  few  exceptions,  poured  forth 
its  eloquent  appeals  to  the  strong-bodied  men  of  the 
country  to  range  themselves  on  the  side  of  right 
against  wrong.  Yiolence  would  be  done  to  truth  did 
we  not  mention,  also,  that  the  pulpits  of  the  land 
were  potent  helpers  in  this  work,  by  their  religious 
patriotism  and  persistent  efforts  to  keep  the  great 
issue  distinctly  before  the  people.  Thus  the  mind 
and  heart  of  the  North  were  kept  alive  to  the  great 
problem  of  the  nation's  existence,  and  men  were  ral- 
lying to  our  standard.  It  was  no  uncommon  thing  to 
receive  applications  to  enter  our  lists  from  young  men 
or  boys  too  young  and  slender  to  be  admitted,  who 
left  our  offices  in  tears  of  disappointment,  unless  we 
could  find  for  them  a  position  as  drummers  and 
buglers. 

A  single  instance  of  enlistment  imder  my  obser- 
vation might  be  mentioned,  as  it  gives  a  specimen  of 
the  manner  in  which  our  work  went  on.  Having 
taken  passage  on  the  cars  one  day  from  one  point  of 
my  labors  to  another,  I  fell  in  with  a  young  man  who 
was  on  his  way  to  college,  where  he  expected  to  be 
matriculated  the  following  day.  His  valise  was  full 
of  books  and  other  students'  requisites,  and  his  heart 
full  of  literary  ambition.  Attracted  to  me  by  my 
uniform,  he  soon  learned  my  business,  and,  after  a  few 
moments  of  pensiveness,  to  my  surprise,  he  told 
me  to  inscribe  his  name  among  my  recruits.  Then 


46         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

turning  to  a  friend  on  board  the  car,  he  said,  "  Take 
this  trunk  to  my  home,  and  tell  my  mother  I  have 
enlisted  in  a  cavalry  regiment." 

Deceniber  4. — To-day  I  returned  from  recruiting 
service,  bringing  Avith  me  our  enlisted  men  who  had 
not  been  sent  previously  to  the  regiment.  I  found 
tlie  Harris  Light  occupying  Camp  Palmer,  on  Arling- 
ton Heights,  the  confiscated  property  of  the  Eebel 
General  Robert  E.  Lee.  On  arriving  in  camp  I  found 
that  the  papers  from  "Washington  contained  a  letter 
of  Secretary  Seward,  directing  General  McClellan  not 
to  return  to  their  former  owners  contrabands  in  our 
lines.  This  order,  when  fully  understood  by  our  col- 
ored friends,  will  undoubtedly  increase  their  exit 
from  Egypt,"  as  many  of  them  style  their  escape 
from  bondage.  The  government  will  probably  adopt 
measures  to  give  these  fugitives  systematic  assistance 
and  labor,  that  they  may  be  of  use  to  us.  Already 
I  find  that  a  goodly  number  of  our  officers  have 
adopted  them  for  cooks  and  hostlers,  in  which  posi- 
tions they  certainly  excel ;  and  there  is  no  good  reason 
why  we  may  not  employ  them  as  teamsters  on  our 
trains  and  helpers  in  our  trenches.  They  are  gener- 
ally very  powerful,  and  show  signs  of  great  endur- 
ance. iTor  do  we  find  them  unwilling  to  labor,  as  we 
have  been  so  often  told  they  were.  However,  we  do 
not  wonder  much  that  they  have  acquired  the  "  repu- 
tation "  of  being  lazy,  for  what  but  a  thing  or  an  ani- 
mal could  take  pleasure  in  unrequited  toil?  Now 
they  have  a  personal  interest,  and  take  a  peculiar  de- 
light in  what  they  do  for  us.  Their  gi'eat  willingness 
and  ability  to  work  for  Uncle  Sam  or  any  of  his  boys, 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  47 

would  indicate  that  they  will  become  eminently  use- 
ful in  the  service  of  their  country. 

From  Camp  Palmer  the  regiment  had  gone  out  to 
drill  for  some  time ;  and  here  we  continued  through 
the  month,  generally  occupying  the  large  plain  which 
lies  between  the  Arlington  House  and  the  Potomac, 
and  in  full  view  of  Washington.  On  this  field  Kil- 
patrick,  Davies,  DuiBe^  and  others,  began  to  develop 
their  soldierly  qualities,  infusing  them  into  their  com- 
mands, and  imparting  that  knowledge  of  cavalry 
tactics  which  would  prepare  us  for  the  stern  duties 
of  war.  We  have  recently  been  greatly  encouraged 
by  the  movements  of  Colonel  George  Dashiel  Bayard, 
of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  who,  on  the  27th 
of  November,  while  on  a  scout  on  the  road  to  Lees- 
burg,  Loudon  county,  met  a  band  of  the  Chivalry 
near  Drainesville,  with  whom  he  had  a  spirited  skir- 
mish. The  whole  affair  would  indicate  that  Colonel 
Bayard  is  destined  to  be  no  mean  cavalry  leader- 
Cavalry  regiments  from  most  of  the  loyal  States  have 
been  organized,  and  are  now  in  camps  of  instruction. 
Occasionally  they  go  out  scouting,  picketing,  etc., 
and  are  thus  preparing  for  the  coming  campaigns. 

December  20. — To-day  a  brigade  of  Pennsylvani- 
ans,  including  two  squadrons  of  Colonel  Bayard's 
cavalry  regiment,  the  whole  force  under  command  of 
General  E.  O.  C.  Ord,  while  foraging  in  the  vicinity 
of  Drainesville,  were  attacked  by  a  Pebel  force  nearly 
equal  in  numbers,  with  General  J.  E.B.Stuart  com- 
manding in  person.  A  lively  contest  followed,  in 
which  the  Pebels  were  thoroughly  beaten  and  driven 
from  the  field,  losing,  according  to  their  own  accounts, 


48         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

about  two  hundred  and  fifty  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
captured.  They  left  twenty-five  dead  horses  on  the 
field,  with*  the  debris  of  two  caissons,  disabled  and 
exploded  by  the  well-directed  fire  of  Easton's  battery, 
which  accompanied  the  expedition.  The  Eebels,  who 
had  undoubtedly  come  out  for  the  purpose  of  forage 
as  well  as  ourselves,  having  a  long  wagon  train,  re- 
treated toward  Fairfax  Court  House,  with  their  wag- 
ons laden  with  their  wounded.  Our  loss  includes 
only  nine  killed  and  sixty  wounded.  Unimportant 
as  this  victory  might  seem,  it  caused  an  immense  re- 
joicing in  the  Union  ranks.  It  was  a  fitting  answer 
to  the  calumny  heaped  upon  us  from  both  North  and 
South,  that  our  soldiers  could  not  fight,  and  were  no 
match  for  their  boastful  enemy. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


49 


CHAPTEE  IV. 

THE  ADVANCE  TO  THE  RAPPAHANNOCK. 

1862.— All  quiet  along  the  Potomac."— Preparations.— Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac Moves ! — Capture  of  the  Quaker  Guns  "  at  Centreville. — Ee- 
turn  to  Defences.— Guerillas. — Their  Attacks  and  Stratagems. — The 
Bovine  Foe. — Picketing ;  how  it  is  done. — Sufferings. — McCIellan  tc 
the  Peninsula. — ^Virginia  Weather  and  the  People. — General  Augur's 
Advance  to  the  Eappahannock. — Lieutenant  Decker's  Bravery  and 
3)cath.— Night  Charge  on  Falmouth  Heights.— Fredericksburg  Sur- 
renders.— How  Citizens  regard  us. — Guarding  a  Train  to  Thorough- 
fare Gap. — Fight  and  Captures  at  Flipper's  Orchard. — Shenandoah 
Valley.— The  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  First  Ira  Harris'  Guard.— 
Death  of  Turner  Ashby.— Strange  Cavalry  Tactics. — Personal  Bravery 
of  Captain  Hammond. — End  of  the  Peninsular  Campaign. 

THE  winter  was  one  of  preparation,  not  of  opera- 
tion. Why  we  were  kept  "  all  quiet  along  the  Po- 
tomac," until  the  announcement,  reiterated  through 
the  press,  elicited  only  disdainful  merriment  among 
our  friends,  was  never  satisfactorily  explained.  The 
month  of  December  had  been  beautiful,  the  roads 
in  excellent  condition,  the  army  well  supplied  and 
disciplined,  so  that  nothing  but  hesitancy  in  our 
leaders  stood  in  the  way  of  army  movements.  The 
North  and  West,  which  had  supplied  myriads  of  men 
and  millions  of  money,  were  becoming  very  impa- 
tient with  such  a  state  of  things.  This  feeling  was 
intensified  by  the  fact  that  it  was  known  that  the 
enemy  was  tireless  in  his  efforts  to  increase  his  army 


50 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


and  to  fortify  liis  strongholds,  while  he  was  also  gain- 
ing the  sympathy  of  foreign  powers,  and,  bj^  means  of 
hlockade-running,  was  adding  not  a  little  to  liis  muni- 
tions of  war.  The  army  shared  largely  this  general 
discontent.  ^'Why  do  we  not  advance?"  was  every 
where  the  interrogation  of  eager  officers  and  men. 

However,  we  were  not  wholly  unemployed;  for 
while  we  waited  for  reinforcements  and  cannon,  as 
demanded  by  the  general  in  command,  and  for  the 
leaves  to  fall  from  the  trees  to  facilitate  movements 
in  a  country''  so  thickly  wooded  as  is  Virginia,  we 
were  kept  busy  with  the  camp  curriculum,  namely, 
the  drill,  the  guard,  the  inspection,  and  parade. 
General  Lee's  plantation,  on  Arlington  Heights,  and 
the  surrounding  country,  was  thoroughly  trodden  by 
loyal  feet,  as  men  and  horses  were  acquiring  the  form 
and  power  of  military  life. 

THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC. 

But  our  quiet  was  to  be  broken  by  our  grand  ad- 
vance, which  commenced  on  the  3d  of  March.  The 
Harris  Light  broke  camp  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, and,  with  several  regiments  of  cavalry,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  W.  W.  Averill,  led  the  advance, 
the  Harris  Light  having  the  position  of  honor  as  van- 
guard. We  were  ordered  to  move  slowly  and  cau- 
tiously, which  we  did,  on  the  main  thoroughfare 
known  as  the  Little  River  Turnpike,  and,  at  four 
o'clock,  p.  M.,  we  arrived  at  Fairfax  Court  House, 
having  marched  only  about  fourteen  miles. 

What  was  our  surprise  to  find  the  place  entirely 
deserted  by  the  enemy,  who  had  left  the  day  pre- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  51 

vious  with  the  design  of  retiring  beyond  the  Rappa- 
baunock.  This  change  of  affairs  seemed  so  sudden  as 
to  be  full  of  mystery,  and  was  wholly  unknown  even 
to  our  secret  corps.  We  could  not  doubt  but  that 
this  movement  was  performed  in  anticipation  of  some 
of  our  contemplated  manoeuvrings^  of  which  the 
Rebel  leaders  are  generally  informed  by  their  spies 
in  Washington  and  all  through  our  lines,  even  before 
they  are  known  to  our  army. 

Our  march  was  resumed  the  following  day  at  ten 
o'clock  A.  M.,  and.  early  in  the  afternoon  we  captured 
the  "  Quaker  Guns  "  at  Centreville.  The  enemy  had 
actually  placed  in  the  earthworks  or  forts  which  com- 
manded the  road,  large  trunks  of  trees,  resembling 
cannon  of  heavy  calibre,  which  frowned  down  upon 
us  from  the  heights.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  infor- 
mation we  had  received  from  contrabands  on  the 
march,  that  the  enemy  had  evacuated,  a  report  con- 
firmed by  the  curling  smoke  which  rose  from  various 
parts  of  the  field,  this  formidable  array  of  threaten- 
ing cannon  would  have  terrified  us  all,  and  greatly 
retarded  our  progress.  Indeed,  it  was  not  till  after 
the  suspicious  works  had  been  thoroughly  scanned 
with  field-glasses  that  we  were  ordered  to  advance, 
when  the  strong  position  was  carried  without  the 
snapping  of  a  cap,  or  a  sabre  stroke.  Chagrin  was 
written  upon  every  face.  Not  a  sign  of  the  enemy 
was  visible,  save  the  deserted  remains  of  their  winter- 
quarters,  which  fell  into  our  hands. 

A  very  brief  halt  was  here  made,  and,  hurrying 
our  steps,  we  soon  crossed  the  memorable  Bull  Run, 
and  came  up  with  the  rear-guard  of  the  retiring  army 


52         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

at  Manassas  Junction.  Here  we  pitched  into  them, 
and  kicked  tip  a  little  dust  on  the  road  to  Bristoe. 
This  expedition,  or  wild-goose  chase,  was  continued 
to  Warrenton  Junction,  where  General  George  D. 
Stoneman  found  the  enemy  in  force,  but  returned 
without  attacking  them.  Having  loitered  about  these 
historic  fields  a  few  days,  our  whole  force  began  to 
fall  back  towards  its  old  position  on  the  Potomac, 
establishing  our  advanced  picket-lines,  however,  as  far 
forward  as  Centreville,  with  Fairfax  Court  House  as 
headquarters.  Our  line  of  pickets  intercepts  the 
Leesburg  turnpike  at  Drainesville  and  extends  to  the 
Potomac,  a  distance  of  about  twenty  miles. 

GUERILLAS  AND  BUSHWHACKERS. 

As  guerillas  and  their  brethren,  the  bushwhack- 
ers, infest  the  country  more  or  less,  picketing  is  dan- 
gerous as  well  as  difficult.  Between  the  Rappahannock 
and  the  Potomac  lies  a  vast  territory  which  abounds 
in  creeks,  marshes,  deep,  dark  forests,  with  only  here 
and  there  a  village  or  settlement.  A  little  to  the  west 
of  this  plain  extend  the  Bull  Eun  Mountains,  with 
their  ravines  and  caverns.  This  is  a  very  fit  hiding- 
place  for  mischief-makers.  The  guerillas  consist 
mostly  of  farmers  and  mechanics,  residents  of  this  re- 
gion, who,  by  some  means,  are  exempt  from  the  Rebel 
conscription.  Most  of  them  follow  their  usual  avoca- 
tions during  the  day,  and  have  their  rendezvous  at 
night,  where  they  congregate  to  lay  their  plans  of 
attack  on  the  pickets. 

They  resort  to  every  stratagem  which  a  vile  and 
savage  spirit  could  inspire.    Sometimes  a  picket  is 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CavaVry. 


53 


approached  by  the  stealthiest  creeping  through  the 
dark  thickets,  when  the  unfortunate  sentinel  is  seized 
and  quickly  despatched  by  a  bowie-knife,  or  other  like 
weapon,  w^hich  a  Southron  can  always  use  most 
dexterousl3^  When  mere  stealth  cannot  accomplish 
the  task,  other  methods  are  used.  For  instance,  on  a 
dark  night,  a  vedette,  stationed  by  a  thick  under- 
brush, heard  a  cow-bell  approaching  him,  and  sup- 
posing that  the  accompanying  rustle  of  leaves  and 
crackling  of  dry  limbs  was  occasioned  by  a  bovine 
friend,  unwittingly  sujffered  himself  to  be  captured  by 
a  bushwhacker.  But  the  boys  soon  learned  to  be  sus- 
picious of  every  noise  they  heard ;  so  much  so,  that 
one  night  a  picket,  hearing  footsteps  approaching  him, 
cried  out,  Plait !  Who  comes  there?  "  His  carbine 
was  instantly  brought  to  a  ready,  and  as  no  halt  oc- 
curred nor  answer  was  made,  a  second  challenge  was 
given ;  but  failing  to  effect  any  thing,  he  fired  in  the 
direction  of  the  noise,  when  he  distinctly  heard  a 
heavy  fall,  and  then  groans,  as  of  somebody  dying. 
The  sergeant  of  the  post,  running  up  to  ascertain  the 
cause  of  the  alarm,  found  that  an  unfortunate  ox,  that 
had  been  grazing  his  way  through  the  forest,  lay  dy- 
ing, with  his  forehead  perforated  by  the  faithful  sen- 
try's bullet.  The  incident  caused  considerable  merri- 
ment, and  the  pickets  were  supplied  w^ith  poor  Con- 
federate beef  during  the  remainder  of  their  term  of 
duty. 

But  the  attacks  are  fi*equently  of  a  more  disas- 
trous character,  resulting  in  the  killing  of  men  and 
horses,  in  wounds  and  in  captures.  The  utmost  care 
and  strictest  vigilance  cannot  secure  us  perfectly  from 


54         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

depredations.  Our  general  plan  is  as  follows :  The 
major  part  of  the  regiment  or  picket  detail  establishes 
what  we  denominate  the  "main  reserve"  within  a 
mile  or  -two  in  rear  of  the  centre  of  the  Ime  of  ve- 
dettes, or  at  a  point  where  their  assistance,  in  case  of 
an  attack,  can  be  secured  at  any  place  in  the  line,  at 
the  shortest  possible  notice.  About  midway  between 
the  main  reserve  and  the  picket  line  are  stationed  two, 
three,  or  four  picket  reliefs,  so  situated  as  to  form,  with 
the  line  of  vedettes  for  a  base,  a  pyramid,  with  its 
apex  at  the  main  reserve. 

TICKET  DUTY. 

The  boys  will  not  soon  forget  the  long,  dreary,  dan- 
gerous hours  they  spent  along  this  line.  Here  we  find 
ourselves  shivering  around  a  miserable  fire  among  the 
sighing  pines  (though  in  times  of  special  danger  we 
are  not  permitted  to  have  even  this  slight  comfort,  for 
fear  of  detection),  often  compelled  to  sit  or  lie  down 
in  snow  or  mud,  or  to  walk  about  smartly  to  prevent 
freezing  to  death.  Sometimes,  when  much  exhausted, 
we  have  laid  ourselves  down  on  the  damp  and  muddy 
gromid,  which  was  frozen  stiffly  all  around  us  when 
we  awoke.  Frozen  fingers  and  toes  are  no  uncommon 
things. 

In  this  wretched  plight  we  hear  the  summons  to 
get  ready  to  stand  post.  We  go  out  upon  our  shiver- 
ing horses,  to  sit  in  the  saddle  for  two  hours  or  more, 
facing  the  biting  wind,  and  peering  through  the  storm 
of  sleet,  snow,  or  rain,  which  unmercifully  pelts  us 
in  its  fury.  But  it  were  well  for  us  if  this  was  our 
worst  enemy,  and  we  consider  ourselves  happy  if  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


55 


guerilla  does  not  creep  tlirough  bushes  impenetrable 
to  the  sightj  to  inflict  his  mortal  blows.  The  two 
houi-s  expire,  relief  comes,  and  the  vedette  returns 
to  spend  his  four,  six,  or  eight  hours  off  post,  as  best 
he  may. 

Once,  at  least,  during  the  night,  we  are  visited  by 
the  grand  guard,  which  consists  of  the  officer  of  the 
day,  accompanied  by  others,  whose  duty  it  is  to  make 
a  thorough,  though  usually  swift,  inspection  of  the 
picket  line.    Most  of  our  time  is  spent  in.  this  duty. 

March  29. — Considerable  excitement  prevailed 
among  us  to-day,  as  Colonel  Bayard  was  dispatched 
with  a  detachment  of  his  regiment  to  repulse  a  das- 
tardly raid  made  by  some  of  General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart's 
men,  on  the  house  of  a  Mrs.  Tenant,  a  Union  lady, 
residing  near  Difficult  Eun,  about  six  miles  from 
Chain  Bridge.  Colonel  Bayard  reached  the  place  a 
few  moments  too  late,  and  the  raiders  succeeded  in 
taking  Mrs.  Tenant  as  a  prisoner,  and  making  off  with 
their  prey. 

For  several  weeks  the  main  portion  of  our  grand 
army  has  been  sent  by  transports  to  the  Peninsula, 
with  the  evident  intention  of  moving  upon  Eichmond 
by  shorter  land  routes  than  by  way  of  Manassas. 
This  change  in  our  plans  of  attack  was  probably 
known  by  the  Eebels  before  they  were  matured  at 
Washington,  and  we  now  understand  why  they  so 
quietly  evacuated  their  positions  on  our  front. 

General  McDowell  remains  in  command  of  the 
defences  of  Washington,  with  a  force  sufficient,  it  is 
believed,  to  give  safety  to  the  Capital,  and  to  harass 
the  Eebels  who  continue  before  us.    With  the  de- 


56         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


parture  of  General  McClellan  to  the  Peninsula,  our 
picket  lines  were  withdrawn  to  Annandale  and  Falls 
Church,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  fortifications  of 
Washington. 

THE  ATMOSPHERE  AND  THE  PEOPLE. 

Ajpril  4. — The  Harris  Light  and  the  First  Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry  were  recalled  from  the  picket  lines 
and  sent  out  on  a  reconnoissance  in  force,  with  a  divis- 
ion in  command  of  General  McDowell.  Our  march 
led  us  through  Fairfax  Court  House  and  Centreville, 
near  which  we  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

Already,  at  this  early  spring  time,  a  luxurious 
vegetable  growth  of  green  is  beautifully  carpeting  the 
fields  through  which  w^e  pass  and  in  which  we  halt. 
Flowers  of  great  beauty  and  variety  of  hues  and 
sweetness  of  perfume  greet  us  on  every  hand.  It 
would  seem  as  though  Nature  were  struggling  to  hide 
the  desolations  which  war  has  made,  and  were  weav- 
ing her  chaplets  of  honor  around  the  graves  of  our 
fallen  brothers.  And  it  really  seems  as  though  De- 
struction himself  had  contributed  to  this  lavish  growth. 
Thus, 

"  Life  evermore  is  fed  by  death, 
In  earth,  or  sea,  or  sky  ; 
And,  that  a  rose  may  breathe  its  breath. 
Something  must  die." 

On  the  fifth  Vv^e  continued  on  our  march  to  Bristoe 
Station,  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Pailroad, 
where  w^e  encountered  one  of  the  most  furious  snow 
storms  ever  known  in  this  region  of  country.  The 
wind  which  bore  the  snow  was  cold  and  cutting.  It 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  57 

was  a  season  never  to  be  forgotten  by  those  avIio 
were  quartered  in  mere  shelter  tents,  or  had  no  tents 
at  all. 

So  sudden  are  the  changes  of  the  atmosphere  here 
that  no  man  knoweth  what  a  moment  may  bring 
forth."  Yesterday  we  sought  shelter  from  the  sun's 
heat  imder  the  budding  trees,  while  grass  and  flowers 
and  singing  birds  indicated  settled  weather.  To-day 
the  storm  howls  music  through  the  bending  pines,  and 
snow  several  inches  deep  covers  the  earth. 

We  are  thoroughly  convinced  that  the  character 
of  the  people  here  greatly  partakes  of  the  nature  of 
these  surroundings.  Is  not  this  the  case  everywhere  ? 
But  we  see  it  here  more  plainly  than  we  ever  did  be- 
fore. The  people  are  fitful,  and  their  spasms  are  ter- 
rible ;  and  yet  we  find  them  at  times  to  be  as  kind 
and  hospitable  as  any  we  have  ever  found  elsewhere. 
After  one  has  witnessed  their  beautiful  days,  cooled 
with  a  gentle  sea-breeze,  which  generally  blows  from 
about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  six  at  night,  and 
then  their  cool,  calm  evenings,  he  can  see  why  there 
are  so  many  lovely  traits  in  the  nature  of  the  people. 
But  if  he  experience  some  of  their  sudden  and  ter- 
rific snow  storms  and  showers,  when  the  thunder  and 
the  lightning  are  such  that  a  Northerner  feels  that  all 
the  storms  he  has  ever  witnessed  are  only  infantile 
attempts,  he  is  inclined  to  extenuate,  on  mere  climactic 
principles,  the  outbursts  of  wrath,  and  "fire-eating" 
propensities  of  the  people.  He  who  is  gendered  of 
fire  and  brimstone  must  have  some  vim  in  his  compo- 
sition. We  believe  this  study  is  not  unworthy  the 
Christian  philosopher  and  philanthropist. 


58 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


The  day  following  the  storm,  the  sun  came  out 
warmly,  and  the  snow  suddenly  disappeared,  but  left 
us  in  a  bed  of  rnud.  The  soil,  naturally  rich  and 
tender,  consisting  of  a  reddish  loam,  trodden  by  many 
feet,  and  cut  by  the  wheels  of  heavy  vehicles,  became 
almost  impassable.  But  it  has  this  advantage,  that  it 
soon  dries.  So  the  soil,  as  well  as  the  atmosphere  and 
the  people,  is  suddenly  changeable. 

April  7. — To-day  our  expedition  continued  its 
march  to  Catlett's  Station,  a  few  miles  south  of  Bris' 
toe.  General  Augur  commands  the  advance,  which 
consists  of  a  brigade  of  infantry  and  two  regiments 
of  cavalry. 

On  the  eighth  of  the  month  a  detachment  of  the 
Harris  Light  was  ordered  out  on  picket  at  six  o'clock 
P.M.,  and  we  enjoyed  a  quiet,  pleasant  trip  on  this 
usually  unpleasant  duty.  Here  we  spent  a  few  days 
picketing,  scouting  and  patrolling,  and  on  the  seven- 
teenth we  advanced  from  Catlett's  in  the  direction  of 
Falmouth,  on  the  Rappahannock. 

DEATH  or  LIEUTENANT  DECKER. 

Our  march  was  rapid  and  lay  through  a  country 
altogether  new  to  us,  w^hich,  however,  presented  no 
very  interesting  features.  The  Harris  Light  had  the 
advance,  and  was  followed  by  the  Fourteenth  Brook- 
lyn. As  our  infantry  comrades  became  foot-sore 
and  weary,  we  exchanged  positions  widi  them,  for 
mutual  relief,  until  at  last  one  half  of  the  regiments 
were  bearing  one  another's  burdens.  This  incident 
paved  the  w^ay  for  a  strong  friendship  to  grow  up  be- 
tween us. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  59 

Seventeen  miles  were  travelled  quietly,  wlien  a 
sudden  fire  on  our  advance-guard  brought  every 
cavalry  man  to  his  horse  and  infantry  man  to  his  mus- 
ket. Every  thing  assumed  the  signs  of  a  fight.  Kil- 
patrickj  who  was  in  command  of  the  regiment,  or- 
dered his  band  to  the  rear.  This  precaution  of  the 
commander  was  no  sooner  taken  than  the  vanguard, 
in  command  of  Lieutenant  George  Decker,  was  making 
a  furious  charge  upon  Field's  Cavalry,  which  was 
doing  outpost  duty  ten  miles  from  Falmouth.  On 
the  very  first  assault  Lieutenant  Decker  fell  from  his 
horse,  pierced  through  the  heart  with  a  fatal  bullet. 
He  w^as  a  daring  young  man,  well  formed,  light  com- 
plexion, blue  eyes,  and  about  twenty-three  years  of 
age.  He  was  much  lamented  by  his  many  friends. 
His  fall,  shocking  as  it  was  to  the  command,  being 
our  first  fatal  casualty,  only  seemed  to  nerve  the 
men  for  bold  revenge.  And  we  had  it.  Like  chaff 
before  the  whirlwind  the  outpost  was  quickly  scat- 
tered, and  the  whole  regiment  entered  upon  its  first 
charge  with  a  will,  a  charge  w^hich  contimied  for  sev- 
eral miles  with  wild  excitement.  Picket  reliefs  and 
reserves  were  swept  away  like  forest  trees  before  the 
avalanche,  and  we  fell  upon  their  encampment  before 
time  had  been  afforded  them  for  escape.  Here  we 
captured  several  men  and  horses,  with  large  quanti- 
ties of  stores,  and  then  rested  our  tired  steeds  and  fed 
them  with  confederate  forage.  The  men  enjoyed  the 
captured  rations.  It  was  near  night,  and  as  the  sun 
disappeared  the  infantry  force  came  up  to  our  newly- 
possessed  territory. 

The  cavalry  was  ordered  to    stand  to  horse,"  and 


GO         Three  Years  in  ihe  Federal  Cavalry . 


a  strong  j^icket  was  thrown  out  to  prevent  any  sur- 
prise attack  or  flanking  movement  of  the  enemy.  In 
the  early  part  of  the  evening  one  of  onr  pickets  was 
surprised  by  tlie  friendly  approach  of  a  citizen  of  Fal- 
mouth, who  had  come,  as  he  said,  to  hail  once  more 
the  '  old  star-spangled  banner,'  and  to  greet  his  loyal 
brethren  of  the  North." 

Such  a  patriotic  and  fearless  individual  among  the 
white  population  of  that  section  of  country  w^as  a 
great  rarity,  and  his  protestations  of  friendship  w^ere 
at  first  received  with  some  suspicion.  He  was,  how- 
ever, brought  to  General  Augur's  headquarters,  where 
he  gave  satisfactory  proof  of  his  kind  intentions,  and 
then  gave  the  General  a  full  description  of  the  position 
and  strength  of  the  enemy, 

NIGHT  ATTxVCK  OX  FALMOUTH  HEIGHTS. 

A  plan  for  a  night  attack  was  thereupon  laid  and 
committed  to  Bayard  and  Kilpatrick.  Our  instruc- 
tions were  convej^ed  to  us  in  a  whisper.  A  beautiful 
moonlight  fell  upon  the  scene,  which  was  as  still  as 
death  ;  and  with  a  proud  determination  the  two  young 
cavalry  chieftains  moved  forward  to  the  night's  fray. 
Bayard  was  to  attack  on  the  main  road  in  front,  but 
not  until  Kilpatrick  had  commenced  operations  on 
their  right  flank  by  a  detour  through  a  neglected  and 
narrow  wood-path.  As  the  Heights  were  considered 
well  nigh  impregnable,  it  was  necessary  to  resort  to 
some  stratagem,  for  which  Kilpatrick  showed  a  be- 
coming aptness. 

Having  approached  to  within  hearing  distance  of 
the  Eebel  pickets,  but  before  we  were  challenged, 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


63 


Kilpatrick  shouted  with  his  clear  voice  which  sounded 
like  a  trumpet  on  the  still  night  air, 

"  Bring  up  your  artillery  in  the  centre,  and  infan- 
try on  the  left." 

Well,  but.  Colonel,"  replied  an  honest,  though 

rather  obtuse  captain,    we  haven't  got  any  inf  -" 

Silence  in  the  ranks !  "  commanded  the  leader. 
"  Artillery  in  the  centre,  infantry  on  the  left." 

The  pickets  caught  and  spread  the  alarm,  and  thus 
greatly  facilitated  our  hazardous  enterprise. 

"  Charge !  "  was  the  order  which  then  thrilled  the 
ranks  and  echoed  through  the  dark,  dismal  woods, 
and  the  column  swept  up  the  rugged  Heights  in  the 
midst  of  blazing  cannon  and  rattling  musketry.  So 
steep  was  the  ascent  that  not  a  few  saddles  slipped  off 
the  horses,  precipitating  their  riders  into  a  creek  which 
flowed  lazily  at  the  base  of  the  hill ;  while  others  fell 
dead  and  dying,  struck  by  the  missiles  of  destruction 
which  at  times  filled  the  air.  But  the  red  field  was 
won  ;  and  the  enemy,  driven  at  the  point  of  the  sabre 
fled  unceremoniously  down  the  Heights,  through  Fal- 
mouth, and  over  the  bridge  which  spanned  the  Eap- 
pahannock,  burning  the  beautiful  structure  behind 
them  to  prevent  pursuit.  Quite  a  number  of  prison- 
ers and  various  materials  of  war  fell  into  our  hands. 
Kilpatrick  and  Bayard  were  both  highly  complimented 
for  their  personal  bravery  on  the  occasion. 

Aj^ril  18. — This  morning,  at  eight  o'clock,  Gen- 
eral Augur  took  peaceful  possession  of  Falmouth ; 
and  here,  with  military  honors,  the  remains  of  Lieu- 
tenant Decker  and  about  fifteen  others,  who  fell 
in  the  late  struggle,  were  interred.     Later  in  the 


64         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

day,  and  after  considerable  hesitation,  the  maj^or  of 
Fredericksburg  formally  surrendered  the  city  to  the 
Yankee  General,  whose  guns  on  Falmouth  Heights 
commanded  obedience. 

A  bridge  of  canal  boats^  similar  to  a  pontoon,  was 
constructed  across  the  river,  and  we  took  possession 
of  this  beautiful,  proud  city.  This  was  the  first  ap- 
pearance of  Yankees  in  this  Eebel  locality,  and  we 
were  the  subject  of  no  little  curiosity.  Many  of  the 
people,  who,  by  the  misrepresentations  of  their  licen- 
tious press  and  flaming  orators,  had  been  led  to  be- 
lieve that  Yankees  were  a  species  of  one-eyed  cy clops, 
or  long-clawed  harpies,  or  horned  and  hoofed  devils ; 
who  had  been  deceived  into  the  notion  that  President 
Lincoln  was  a  deformed  mulatto,  degenerated  into  a 
hideous  monkey,  and  that  all  his  followers  were  of 
that  sort,  on  seeing  us,  expressed  great  surprise  and 
wished  to  know  if  we  were  specimens  of  the  Lincoln 
army."  They  had  forgotten  that  our  fathers  fought 
side  by  side  in  our  common  country's  early  struggles, 
and  that  now  we,  their  children,  as  brothers,  ought 
all  to  sit  unitedly  under  the  tree  of  liberty  which  they 
had  planted  in  tears  and  nourished  with  blood. 

But  it  is  painful  to  observe  how  the  spirit  of  se- 
cession has  blotted  out  the  memories  of  past  days  and 
deeds,  and  filled  their  hearts  with  bitterness  toward 
us.  A  few  Union  families  in  these  parts,  whose  ac- 
quaintance we  have  made,  assure  us  that  their  neigh- 
bors, who  were  formerly  most  hospitable  and  humane, 
have  become,  through  this  Eebel  virus,  incarnate 
fiends.  To  secede  from  the  Union  was  evidently  to 
'secede  from  the  God  of  virtue  and  charity. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  65 


April  25. — After  spending  a  few  days  of  toler- 
able quietness  on  the  banks  of  the  Kappahannock, 
with  our  camp  near  the  Phillips  House,  Falmouth,  a 
most  lovely  spot,  we  were  to-day  ordered  out  as  escort 
or  guard  to  a  train  destined  for  the  Shenandoah 
Valley.  Such  a  job  is  generally  any  thing  but  pleas- 
ant to  a  cavalry  force,  for  the  moYement  is  altogether 
too  slow,  especially  when  bad  roads  are  encountered. 
And  in  case  a  team  becomes  balky  or  gives  out,  or  a 
wagon  breaks  down  (incidents  which  occur  frequent- 
ly), the  whole  column  is  in  siaiu  quo  nntil  the  diffi- 
culty or  disability  is  removed.  And  so  we  are  halt- 
ing, advancing,  halting  and  advancing  again,  with 
this  monotonous  variety  repeated  ad  libitum^  while 
the  halts  are  often  longer  than  the  advances.  But 
our  slow  motion  gives  us  some  opportunity  to  scout 
the  countiy  through  which  we  pass,  and  to  obtain 
any  quantity  of  rations  and  forage  for  man  and  beast. 
By  this  means  we  are  not  compelled  to  consume 
much,  if  any,  of  the  contents  of  our  train. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  Ave  reached  Thoroughfare 
Gap,  through  which  the  Manassas  Gap  railroad  finds 
its  way  over  the  Bull  Run  mountains.  Here  we  met 
a  force  from  General  Nathaniel  P.  Banks'  army,  to 
whose  care  -we  delivered  the  train.  We  remained  a 
few  .days  to  scout  through  the  country. 

On  the  first  of  May  we  started  back  toward  Fal- 
mouth, but  stopped  several  days  at  Bristersburg,  a 
small  town,  w^here  we  spent  our  time  very  pleasantly, 
scouting  through  the  country  and  living  upon  its  rich 
products.  Here  we  are  very  much  isolated  from  the 
rest  of  our  army.   .We  seldom  get  a  mail  or  receive 


66         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


any  papers,  except  from  rebel  sources,  and  these  are 
so  meagre  of  literary  taste  and  especially  of  reliable 
army  news,  that  we  dare  not  put  much  trust  in  their 
representations.  However,  we  are  satisfied  from 
what  we  read,  that  our  grand  Peninsular  army  is 
making  some  telling  demonstrations  toward  Rich- 
mond, and  that  the  Eebel  General  Thomas  J.  Jackson, 
surnamed  Stonewall,"  shice  his  famous  defeat  by 
General  James  Shields  at  Kernstown,  near  Winches- 
ter, is  still  in  the  valley. 

May  25z^A.— We  reached  l^'almouth  to-day  and 
took  possession  of  our  old  camping  ground  in  front 
of  the  Phillips  House.  We  have  but  little  to  do  ex- 
cept to  graze  our  horses  in  the  surrounding  fields, 
and  to  recruit  our  strength.  We  also  have  the  usual 
camp  work,  namely,  policing,  drilling,  etc.  This  de- 
partment is  very  quiet,  though  we  hear  of  active 
movements  elsewhere. 

On  the  thirtieth  we  had  a  severe  rain  storm,  with 
thunder  and  \\^ivLVii^^  dlaYirginie.  The  streams 
w^ere  greatly  sw^ollen,  and  mud  was  abundant,  so  as 
to  retard  movements  before  Richmond. 

June  6. — The  Harris  Light  crossed  the  Rappa- 
hannock and  advanced  six  miles  beyond  Fredericks- 
burg, where  we  got  only  a  glimpse  of  some  of  Field's 
cavalry,  who  had  not  forgotten  us.  They  kept  them- 
selves at  a  very  respectful  distance  from  us,  and 
made  themselves  "scarce''  whenever  we  made  signs 
of  an  attack.  For  several  days  we  bivouacked  on 
that  side  of  the  river,  and  on  the  twelfth  we  returned 
to  our  old  camp  at  Falmouth  Heights.  On  the  six- 
teenth w^e  were  again  thrown  across  the  river,  and 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  G7 


Diade  a  recoimoissaiice  severpJ  miles  soutli,  without 
finding  any  force  of  the  enemy. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  nntil  the  Fourth 
of  July,  when  the  Troy  company  of  tlie  Harris  Light, 
commanded  by  Lieutenant  Robert  Loudon,  was  sent 
out  to  celebrate  this  national  holiday  by  a  recon- 
noissance  on  the  Telegraph  Koad,  south  of  Freder- 
icksburg. We  left  camp  at  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  and  soon  came  in  sight  of  a  detachment  of 
Bath  Cavahy,  doing  patrol  duty.  After  following 
them  for  some  time,  though  not  rapidly,  we  halted  a 
few  moments,  and  they  lost  sight  of  us,  concluding 
doubtless  that  we  had  retired.  This  was  just  wdiat 
we  wanted. 

ATTACK  AT  FLIPPEE'S  OKCHAED. 

On  the  south  bank  of  the  Po  river,  about  tw^enty 
miles  from  Fredericksburg,  w^as  a  beautiful  orchard, 
owned  by  a  Dr.  Flipper.  This  lovely  spot  had  been 
chosen  by  our  Bath  friends  for  their  outpost,  their 
main  reserve  being  a  few  miles  farther  south.  On 
arriving  at  the  orchard,  with  its  luscious  fruit  and  in- 
viting shade,  the  squad  we  were  still  pursuing  unsus- 
pectingly unsaddled  their  horses,  began  to  arrange 
preparations  for  their  dinner,  and  to  make  themselves 
generally  comfortable.  Of  this  state  of  things  we 
were  informed  by  a  contraband  Ave  chanced  to  meet. 
We  then  resolved  either  to  share  or  spoil  their  coffee  ; 
so,  moving  forward  at  a  trot  until  in  sight  of  them, 
we  swooped  down  upon  the  orchard  like  eagles. 
The  surprised  and  frightened  cavaliers  fired  but  a 
few  shots,  and  we  captured  twelve  men  and  nine 


68         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

horses,  and  escaped  with  our  lawful  prey  without 
having  received  a  scratch.  It  was  my  good  fortune 
to  take  prisoner  Lieutenant  Powell,  the  officer  in  com- 
mand, and  to  receive  as  my  own  aiine  silver-mounted 
revolver,  which  he  reluctantly  placed  in  my  hand.  It 
will  be  a  line  souvenir  of  the  war  and  of  this  Fourth 
of  July. 

SHENANDOAH  VALLEY. 

Sometime  in  May  Colonel  Bayard  with  his  regi- 
ment and  a  large  portion  of  General  McDowell's  divi- 
sion were  sent  to  the  Shenandoah  Yalley  to  share  in 
the  shifting  military  panorama  which  was  there  dis- 
played. With  the  removal  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac to  the  Peninsula  the  Confederate  authorities  des- 
patched General  Jackson  to  the  Valley,  to  threaten  the 
upper  Potomac  and  Maryland,  thus  making  it  neces- 
sary for  a  large  Federal  force  to  remain  in  these  parts. 
General  Banks  was  in  command  of  that  department. 

After  the  battle  of  Kernstown,  in  which  Jackson 
received  the  sobriquet  of  Stonewall "  and  a  sound 
thrashing,  General  Banks,  who  had  set  out  for  War- 
renton,  returned  to  the  Valley,  and  pursued  Jackson, 
but  was  unable  to  bring  him  to  bay.  The  enemy's 
cavalry  under  Colonel  Turner  Ashby  was  frequently 
attacked  by  the  Union  Cavalry  under  General  John 
P.  Hatch.  On  the  sixth  of  May,  the  Fifth  New  York 
Cavalry,  First  Ira  Harris  Guard,  had  a  hand  to  hand 
encounter  with  Ashby 's  men  near  Harrisonburg, 
where  Yankee  sabres  and  pluck  had  established  a 
reputation.  A  portion  of  the  same  regiment  under 
Colonel  John  E.  Kenly,  at  Front  Royal,  added  new 


Throe  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  69 


lustre  to  their  fame,  on  the  twenty-third  of  the  same 
montli,  during  Stonewall's "  flank  movement  on 
General  Banks  at  Strasburg,  and  fought  bravely 
during  that  memorable  retreat  to  Maryland. 

At  this  juncture  of  affairs,  a  division  of  General 
McDowell's  forces,  under  General  Shields,  was  dis- 
patched to  the  valley  to  intercept  Jackson,  while 
General  John  0.  Fremont  was  ordered  by  telegraph 
to  the  same  scene  from  the  Mountain  Department. 
But  unavoidably  detained  by  almost  impassable 
mountain  roads  and  streams  enormously  swollen  by 
recent  rains,  Fremont  reached  Strasburg  just  in  time 
to  see  Jackson's  last  stragglers  retreating  through  the 
town.  His  pursuit  was  very  rapid,  though  no  en- 
gagement was  brought  about  until  the  fifth  of  June, 
at  Harrisonburg.  Here  Colonel  Percy  Wyndham, 
on  our  side,  and  Turner  Ashby,  now  a  general,  on  the 
Eebel  side,  distinguished  themselves  in  the  cavalry. 
Ashby  was  killed.  His  loss  was  greatly  lamented  by 
his  comrades.  He  always  fought  at  the  head  of  his 
men,  with  the  most  reckless  self-exposure,  and  for 
outpost  duty  and  the  skirmish  line  he  left  scarcely  an 
equal  behind  him  in  either  army.  His  humaneness 
to  our  men  who  had  fallen  into  his  hands  caused 
many  of  them  to  shed  tears  at  the  intelligence  of  his 
death.  Men  of  valor  and  kindness  are  always  worthy 
of  a  better  cause  than  that  in  which  the  Rebels  are 
engaged  ;  but  their  merit  is  always  appreciated. 

Upon  the  heel  of  this  fight  folio w^ed  the  battles  of 
Cross  Keys,  and  Port  Republic,  where  Jackson  eluded 
the  combined  Union  forces  which  had  been  directed 
against  him. 


70         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


During  this  memorable  campaign,  a  curious  mili- 
tary modus  ojyerandi  had  been  resorted  to  in  the 
Luray  Valley,  in.Avhich  the  cavalry  had  made  itself 
doubly  nsefub  A  small  force  of  our  infantry  and 
cavalry  were  surrounded  by  the  enemy  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Shenandoah  River,  which  was  so  high  as 
to  be  unfordable.  As  a  last  resort  the  cavalrymen 
plunged  into  the  stream,  swimming  their  horses,  and 
towing  across  the  infantrymen,  who  clung  to  the  ani- 
mals' tails ! 

A  striking  case  of  personal  daring  in  this  Valley 
campaign,  is  worthy  of  record  here.  During  Banks' 
retreat  from  Winchester,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  May, 
four  companies  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  under 
command  of  Captain  Wheeler,  were  moving  on  the 
left  flank  of  our  retreating  columns,  to  protect  them 
from  any  attacks  by  the  Rebel  cavalry,  which  infested 
the  wooded  hills  that  lay  along  our  route.  Emerg- 
ing from  a  thick  wood,  Captain  John  Hammond,  who 
had  the  advance  with  eight  or  ten  men,  suddenly  came 
upon  a  squad  of  mounted  Rebels,  and  immediately 
called  on  them  to  surrender.  However,  they  fled, 
firing  as  they  went,  but  were  closely  pursued.  Cap- 
tain Hammond  was  riding  a  powerful  horse,  which  he 
had  taken  from  his  home,  and  as  his  blood  was  up,  he 
determined  to  capture  one  of  the  party  at  least,  at  all 
hazard.  He  soon  came  up  to  the  hindmost,  a  strong 
man,  with  whom  he  exchanged  several  shots  at  close 
quarters,  but  without  eff'ect  on  either  side,  owing  to 
their  fearful  gait  through  the  timber  and  down  a  hill. 
Hammond's  pistol  became  fouled  by  a  cap,  and  the 
cylinder  v/ould  not  revolve.     The  Rebel  had  two 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  71 


charges  left.  Quick  work  was  now  necessary.  An- 
other spurring  of  his  horse  brought  him  witbin  arm's 
length  of  the  flying  Eebel,  wlierenpon  he  seized  bis 
coat  colbar  with  both  his  hands,  and  dragged  him 
backward  from  his  saddle.  Holding  firmly  his  grasp, 
both  horses  went  from  under  them,  and  they  fell  pell- 
mell  to  the  ground.  Luckily  Hammond  was  upper- 
most, with  one  hand  at  the  enemy's  throat  and  the 
other  holding  the  band  of  the  pistol  with  which  the 
Eebel  was  trying  to  shoot  him.  As  the  two  men 
were  powerful,  a  fearful  struggle  ensued  for  the  mas- 
tery of  the  pistol.  Meantime  up  rode  one  of  Ham- 
mond's boys,  who,  by  bis  order,  fired  at  the  upturned 
face  of  the  obstinate  foe,  the  ball  grazing  his  scalp 
and  causing  him  to  relinquish  his  hold  ot  the  revolver, 
when  he  was  forced  to  surrender.  Thus  ended  one  of 
the  roughest  yet  amusing  contests  of  the  war. 

The  prisoner  proved  to  be  one  of  Ashby's  scouts, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  party  were  all  captured. 
But  notwithstanding  the  personal  bravery  of  our  men, 
disaster  and  defeat  had  attended  our  operations  in  the 
Yalley.  Nor  was  this  the  only  field  of  disastrous 
changes.  On  the  Peninsula  sieges  had  been  laid  and 
raised,  terrible  battles  fought,  won,  and  lost,  and 
thousands  of  our  brave  comrades  had  succumbed  to 
the  impure  water  and  miasmatic  condition  of  the 
country.  The  rebel  General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  had  as- 
tounded every  body  by  a  raid  around  our  entire  army, 
cutting  off*  communications,  destroying  stores,  and 
capturing  not  a  few  prisoners.  On  the  second  of 
July  this  jaded  army  found  a  resting  place  at  Harri- 
son's Landing  on  the  James  Eiver. 


72        Three-  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


CHAPTER  \  . 


POPE'S  CAMPAIGN  IN"  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA. 

1862. — Kilpatrick  at  Beaver  Dam. — Captain  John  S.  Mosby. — Return  of 
the  Raiders. — CompUmentary  Orders. — The  Harris  Light  at  Ander- 
son's Turnout. — Rebel  Account  of  the  Scare. — General  John  P. 
Hatch,  his  Misfortunes  and  Justification. — Reconnoissances. — Battle 
of  Cedar  Mountain. — Hospital  at  Culpepper. — General  Stuart  in  Close 
Quarters. — His  Adjutant-General  Captured. — Death  of  Captain 
Charles  Walters. — Pope  driven  back  and  waiting  for  Reinforcements. 
— Kilpatrick's  Fight  at  Brandy  Station. — Waterloo  Bridge. — Bristoe 
Station. — Manassas  Junction. — Battle  of  Groveton. — Second  Bull 
Run. — Chantilly  and  Death  of  Kearny. — General  Pope  resigns. 

/\UR  prospects  as  a  nation  were  any  thing  but 


\j  promising  about  the  fourth  of  July,  1862.  Our 
operations  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  had  been  very 
expensive  and  fruitless.  The  Peninsular  campaign, 
which  promised  so  much  at  its  beginning,  which  had 
proceeded  at  so  fearful  a  cost  of  treasure  and  blood, 
was  pronounced  a  failure  at  last,  and  the  great  armies, 
depleted  and  worn,  were  well  nigh  discouraged.  The 
celebration  of  the  anniversary  of  our  national  birth- 
day was  observed  throughout  the  loyal  North  in  the 
midst  of  gloomy  forebodings,  and  only  the  pure 
patriotism  of  governors  of  States,  and  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  gave  the  people  any  ground  of 
hope  for  success.  In  the  army  changes  of  leaders 
were  occurring,  which  produced  no  little  amount  of 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


73 


jealousy  among  the  stars,"  and  upon  wliich  the  opin 
ion  of  the  rank  and  file  was  divided. 

On  the  fourteenth  of  July,  General  John  Pope, 
having  been  called  from  a  glorious  career  in  the  West, 
took  command  of  the  Army  of  Virginia,  which  was  a 
consohdation  of  the  commands  of  Fremont,  Banks, 
and  McDowell. 

Before  General  Pope  left  Washington,  he  ordered 
General  Rufus  King,  who  was  in  command  at  Frede- 
ricksburgh,  to  make  a  raid  on  the  Yirginia  Central 
Railroad,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  it  at  as  many 
points  as  possible,  and  thus  impede  communications 
between  Richmond  and  the  Valley.  This  work  was 
committed  to  our  regiment. 

July  19. — About  six  o'clock  this  evening  the 
Harris  Light  was  set  in  rapid  motion  almost  directly 
south.  By  means  of  a  forced  march  of  forty  miles 
through  the  night,  at  the  gray  dawn  of  the  morning 
we  descended  upon  Beaver  Dam  depot,  on  the  Vir- 
ginia Central,  like  so  many  ravenous  Vv^olves  upon  a 
broken  fold.  Here  we  had  some  lively  work.  The 
command  was  divided  in  several  squads,  and  each 
party  was  assigned  its  peculiar  and  definite  duty.  So 
while  some  were  destroying  culverts  and  bridges, 
others  were  playing  mischief  wdth  the  telegraph 
wires ;  others  still  were  burning  the  depot,  which  was 
nearly  full  of  stores,  and  a  fourth  party  was  on  the 
lookout.  During  our  affray  we  captured  a  young 
Confederate  oflicer,  who  gave  his  name  as  Captain 
John  S.  Mosby.  By  his  sprightly  appearance  and 
conversation  he  attracted  considerable  attention.  He 
IS  slight,  yet  well  formed ;  has  a  keen  blue  eye,  and 


%4:         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

florid  complexion ;  and  displays  no  small  amount  of 
Southern  bravado  in  his  dress  and  manners.  His 
gray  plush  hat  is  surmounted  by  a  waving  plume, 
which  he  tosses  as  he  speaks  in  real  Prussian  style. 
He  had  a  letter  in  his  possession  from  General  Stuart, 
recommending  him  to  the  kind  regards  of  General 
Lee. 

After  making  general  havoc  of  railroad  stock  and 
JKebel  stores,  we  started  in  the  direction  of  Gordon- 
ville,  but  having  ascertained  that  a  force  of  Rebels 
much  larger  than  our  own  occupied  the  place,  we 
turned  northward,  and  reached  our  old  camp  at  mid- 
night, having  marched  upward  of  eighty  miles  in 
thirty  hours. 

Some  of  us  will  not  soon  forget  the  ludicrous 
scenes  which  were  acted  out,  especially  in  the  latter 
portion  of  the  raid.  In  consequence  of  the  jaded  con- 
dition of  our  horses  it  was  necessary  to  make  frequent 
halts.  To  relieve  themselves  and  animals,  when  a  halt 
was  ordered,  some  men  would  dismount,  and,  sinking 
to  the  ground  through  exhaustion,  would  quickly  fall 
asleep.  "With  the  utmost  difficulty  they  were  aroused 
by  their  comrades  when  the  column  advanced.  Call- 
ing them  by  their  names,  though  we  did  it  with 
mouth  to  ear,  and  with  all  our  might,  made  no  im- 
pression upon  them.  In  many  instances  we  were 
compelled  to  take  hold  of  them,  roll  them  over,  tum- 
ble them  about,  and  pound  them,  before  we  could 
make  them  realize  that  the  proper  time  for  rest  and 
sleep  had  not  yet  come. 

Others  slept  in  their  saddles,  either  leaning  for- 
ward on  the  pommel  of  the  saddle,  or  on  the  roll  of 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  75 

coat  and  blanket,  or  sitting  quite  erect,  with  an  occa- 
sional bow  forward  or  to  the  right  or  left,  like  the 
swaying  of  a  flag  on  a  signal  station,  or  like  the  career- 
ings  of  a  drunken  man.  The  horse  of  such  a  sleeping 
man  will  seldom  leave  his  place  in  the  column,  though 
this  will  sometimes  occur,  and  the  man  awakes  at  last 
to  find  himself  alone  with  his  horse  which  is  grazing 
along  some  unknown  field  or  woods.  Some  men, 
having  lost  the  column  in  this  way,  have  fallen  into 
the  enemy's  hands.  Sometimes  a  fast-walking  horse 
in  one  of  the  rear  companies  will  bear  his  sleeping 
lord  quickly  along,  forcing  his  way  through  the  ranks 
ahead  of  him,  until  the  poor  fellow  is  awakened,  and 
finds  himself  just  passing  by  the  colonel  and  his  staff 
at  the  head  of  the  column  !  Of  course,  he  falls  back 
to  his  old  place  somewhat  confused  and  ashamed,  and 
the  occurrence  lends  him  just  excitement  enough  to 
keep  him  awake  for  a  few  minutes. 

It  is  seldom  that  men  under  these  somnambulic 
circumstances  fall  from  their  horses,  yet  sometimes  it 
does  happen,  and  headlong  goes  the  cavalier  upon  the 
hard  ground,  or  into  a  splashing  mud-puddle,  while 
general  merriment  is  produced  among  the  lookers-on. 
But  as  no  one  is  seriously  injured,  the  fallen  brave" 
retakes  his  position  in  the  ranks  and  the  column  pro- 
ceeds as  though  nothing  had  happened.  We  had  all 
these  experiences  in  one  form  or  another  in  our  raid, 
and  on  reaching  camp  we  found  that  several  men  had 
lost  their  caps  by  the  way. 

The  day  following  our  arrival  at  camp  the  gen- 
eral in  command  issued  his  complimentary  message, 
namely : 


76         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


Headquarters  Army  of  YirginiAj  ) 
Wasliirigton,  July  2.1.  ) 

To  Hon.  E.  M.  Stanton^  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sm :  The  cavalry  expedition  I  directed  General  King  to 
send  out  on  the  nineteenth  instant  has  returned. 

They  left  Fredericksburg  at  seven  p.  m.,  on  the  nineteenth, 
and  a  fter  a  forced  march  during  the  night  made  a  descent  at  day- 
light in  the  morning  upon  the  Virginia  Central  Eailroad  at 
Beaver  Dam  Creek,  twenty-five  miles  north  of  Hanover  Junction 
and  thirty-five  miles  from  Eichmond.  They  destroyed  the  rail- 
road and  telegraph  line  for  several  miles,  burned  the  d^pot, 
which  contained  forty  thousand  rounds  of  musket  ammunition, 
one  hundred  barrels  of  fiour,  and  much  other  valuable  property, 
and  brought  in  the  Captain  in  charge  as  a  prisoner. 

The  whole  country  round  was  thrown  into  a  great  state  of 
alarm.  One  private  was  wounded  on  our  side.  The  cavalry 
marched  eighty  miles  in  thirty  hours.  The  affair  was  most 
successful,  and  reflects  high  credit  upon  the  commanding  offi- 
cer and  his  troops. 

As  soon  as  full  particulars  are  received  I  will  transmit  to 
you  the  name  of  the  commanding  officer  of  the  troops  en- 
gaged. 

I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

John  Pope, 
Major- General  Commanding, 

Tlie  above  order  was  received  with  great  gladness 
by  tlie  boys  of  the  Harris  Light,  and  Kilpatrick  had 
just  reasons  to  feel  proud  of  his  brave  boys  and  their 
noble  deeds.  As  we  had  done  so  well  in  this  branch  of 
business,  it  was  natural  for  the  commanding  general 
to  be  looking  out  for  more  similar  jobs  for  us,  and, 
indeed,  they  came. 

July  24. — Kilpatrick  was  again  launched  out  with 
his  men  on  another  raid  upon  the  Yirginia  Central 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  77 


Railroad,  which,  this  time,  we  struck  at  Anderson 
Turnout.  However,  we  did  not  reach  the  railroad 
before  w^e  had  surj^rised  a  camp  of  Eebel  cavalry, 
with  which  we  had  a  sharp  skirmish  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  North  Anna  Eiver.  But  having  the  ad- 
vantage of  the  enemy,  w^e  defeated  them,  captured 
their  camp,  with  several  prisoners  and  horses.  A 
large  quantity  of  camp  and  garrison  equipage  fell  into 
our  hands,  which  we  burned.  Unfortunately  for  us 
we  did  not  come  just  in  time  to  take  the  cars,  but  we 
created  an  alarm  quite  as  extensive  as  that  which 
prevailed  at  Beaver  Dam,  on  our  former  visit.  The 
Richmond  Examiner^  commenting  upon  the  affair, 
gave  the  following  truthful  rendering : 

ANOTHER  SCARE  ON  THE  CENTRAL  ROAD. 

"  When  the  train  from  the  west  on  the  Central 
Railroad  reached  Frederick's  Hall,  a  station  fifty  miles 
from  this,  it  was  met  by  a  rumor  that  the  Yankee 
cavalry  had  made  another  raid  from  Fredericksburg, 
and  had  possession  of  the  track  at  Anderson  Turn- 
out, ten  miles  below  Beaver  Dam,  and  thirty  miles 
from  Richmond.  The  telegraph  wire  not  being  in 
working  order,  there  was  no  means  at-  hand  of  as- 
certaining the  truth  of  this  report.  Under  the 
circumstances  the  conductor,  not  choosing  to  risk 
the  passengers  and  train,  took  an  extra  locomotive 
and  ran  down  to  Anderson's  on  a  reconnoissance. 
When  he  reached  this  place  he  found  the  report  of 
the  Yankees  at  that  point  correct,  but  they  had  left 
several  hours  previous  to  his  arrival.  He  learned  the 
following  particulars : 


78 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


At  a  quarter  past  nine  a.  m.,  just  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  after  the  passage  of  train  from  Richmond,  the 
Yankee  cavalry,  several  hundred  in  number,  made 
their  appearance  at  the  Turnout.  Having  missed  the 
train,  they  seemed  to  have  no  particular  object  in 
view,  but  loitered  about  the  neighborhood  for  a  couple 
of  hours.  They,  however,  before  taking  leave,  search- 
ed the  house  of  Mr.  John  S.  Anderson,  which  is  near 
the  raih'oad,  and  took  prisoner  his  son,  w^ho  is  in  the 
Confederate  service,  but  at  home  on  sick  furlough. 
They  also  took  possession  of  four  of  Mr.  Anderson's 
horses.  They  made  no  attempt  to  tear  up  the  rail- 
road, having  no  doubt  had  enough  of  that  business  at 
Beaver  Dam  last  Sunday.  They  did  not  interfere 
v/ith  the  telegraph  wire  through  prudential  motives, 
shrewdly  guessing  that  any  meddling  with  that  would 
give  notice  of  their  presence. 

"  Of  the  movements  of  our  troops  occasioned  by 
this  second  impudent  foray  it  is  unnecessary  to  say 
any  thing.  The  Central  train  reached  this  city  at 
eight  o'clock,  three  hours  behind  its  usual  time." 

It  is  evident  that  we  are  greatly  embarrassing  the 
Eebel  travelling  public  by  our  raids,  destroying  pub- 
lic property,  capturing  prisoners  and  horses,  and 
gaining  some  valuable  information.  We  have  learn- 
ed from  contrabands  and  other  sources  that  Rebel 
forces  in  considerable  numbers  are  being  transported 
v/estward  over  this  route.  Some  grand  movements 
are  undoubtedly  on  foot. 

Yi e  have  received  word  that  on  the  fourteenth 
General  John  P.  Hatch,  with  all  his  cavalry,  was 
ordered  by  General  Banks  to  proceed  at  once  upon 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  79 

Gordoiisville,  capture  the  place  and  destroy  all  the 
railroads  that  centre  there,  but  especially  to  make 
havoc  of  the  Central  road,  as  far  east  as  possible,  and 
west  to  Charlottesville.  For  some- reason  General 
Hatch  was  too  slow  in  his  movements,  and  General 
Ewell,  with  a  division  of  Lee's  army,  reached  the 
place  on  the  sixteenth,  one  day  ahead  of  Hatch. 
Thereupon  Hatch  was  ordered  to  take  from  fifteen 
hundred  to  two  thousand  picked  men,  well  mounted, 
and  to  hasten  from  Madison  Court  House,  over  the 
Blue  Eidge,  and  destroy  the  railroad  westward  to 
Staunton.  He  commenced  the  movement ;  but  after 
passing  through  the  narrow  defiles  of  the  mountains 
at  Swift  Eun  Gap,  he  felt  that  there  was  no  hope  of 
accomplishing  any  thing,  and  returned.  General 
Pope  immediately  relieved  him  from  command,  and 
appointed  General  John  Buford,  General  Banks'  chief 
of  artillery,  in  his  place. 

After  some  months  had  elapsed,  the  following 
correspondence  between  General  Hatch  and  his 
former  command  will  partly  vindicate,  if  it  does  not 
fully  justify,  his  course  : 

Second  Cavalry  Brigade,  Third  Aemt  Corps,  ) 
Near  Fort  Scott,  Va.,   1862.  J 

To  Brigadier- General  John  P.  Hatch: 

General  :  The  accompanying  sabre  is  presented  to  you  by 
the  officers  of  the  First  Vermont  and  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry. 

We  have  served  under  you  while  you  commanded  the  cav- 
alry in  Virginia — a  period  of  active  operations  and  military 
enterprise — during  which  your  courage  and  judgment  inspired 
us  with  confidence,  while  your  zeal  and  integrity  have  left  us 
an  example  easier  to  be  admired  than  imitated. 

We,  who  have  passed  with  you  beyond  the  Kapidan  and 
4 


80 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


through  Swift  Kun  Gap,  are  best  able  to  recognize  your  quali- 
ties as  a  comraander. 

Accept,  therefore,   General,  this  testimonial  of  esteem 
olTered  long  after  we  were  removed  from  your  command, — 
when  the  external  glitter  of  an  ordinary  man  ceases  to  affect 
the  mind,  but  when  real  worth  begins  to  be  appreciated. 
On  behalf  of  the  officers  of  the  Fifth  New  York, 

Egbert  Johnstone, 
Lieutenant' Colonel^  Fifth  New  York  Camlry. 

To  the  Officers  of  the  Fifth  New  Yorlc  and  First  Vermont  Hegi- 
ments  of  Cavalry : 

Oswego,  N.  Y.,   1862. 

Gentlemen  :  A  very  beautiful  sabre,  your  present  to  my- 
self, has  been  received.  I  shall  wear  it  with  pride,  and  will 
never  draw  it  but  in  an  honorable  cause. 

The  very  kind  letter  accompanying  the  sabre  has  caused 
emotions  of  the  deepest  nature.  The  assurance  it  gives  of  the 
confidence  you  feel  in  mj^^self,  and  your  approval  of  my  course 
when  in  command  of  Banks'  Cavalry,  is  particularly  gratifying. 
You,  actors  with  myself  in  those  stirring  scenes,  are  competent 
judges  as  to  the  propriety  of  my  course,  when  it  unfortunately 
did  not  meet  with  the  approval  of  my  superior ;  and  your  testi- 
mony, so  handsomely  expressed,  after  time  has  allowed  oppor- 
tunity for  reflection,  more  than  compensates  for  the  mortifica- 
tion of  that  moment. 

I  have  watched  with  pride  the  movements  of  your  regiments 
since  my  separation  from  you.  When  a  telegram  has  an- 
nounced that  "  in  a  cavalry  fight  the  edge  of  the  salyre  was  suc- 
cessfully used,  and  the  enemy  routed,"  the  further  announce- 
ment that  the  First  Vermont  and  Fifth  JSTew  York  were  en- 
gaged, was  unnecessary. 

Accept  my  kindest  wishes  for  your  future  success.  Sharp 
sabres  and  a  trust  in  Providence  will  enable  you  to  secure  it  in 
the  field. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

John  P.  Hatch, 
Brigadier-  General. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  81 

August  5. — The  Harris  Light  was  again  sent  out 
on  a  reconnoissance  to  the  Central  Kailroad,  which 
we  struck  on  the  sixth,  about  ten  o'clock  a.  m.,  at 
Frederick's  Hall.  The  depot,  which  contained  large 
supplies  of  commissary  and  quartermaster  stores,  was 
burned.  The  telegraph  office  was  also  destroyed, 
with  considerable  length  of  wire,  while  the  railroad 
track  was  torn  and  otherwise  injured,  principally  by 
the  fires  we  built  upon  it.  In  a  factory  near  the  sta- 
tion were  found  huge  quantities  of  tobacco.  The 
men  took  as  much  as  the  jaded  condition  of  their 
horses  would  permit,  and  the  remainder  was  wrapped 
in  flames. 

All  this  was  accomplished  without  loss  on  our  side. 
These  daring  and  successful  raids  made  Kilpatrick 
very  conspicuous  before  the  army  and  country.  He 
was  complimented  by  the  general  commanding  both 
in  orders  and  by  telegraph,  and  his  name  became  a 
synonym  of  courage  and  success.  This  gave  wonder- 
ful enthusiasm  to  his  men,  and  their  devotion  to  him 
was  unbounded.  Wherever  he  led  us  we  gladly 
w^ent,  feeling  that  however  formidable  the  force  or 
dangerous  the  position  we  assailed,  either  by  main 
force  we  could  overcome,  or  by  stratagem  or  celerity 
we  could  escape.  This  gave  our  young  hero  a  double 
power. 

August  8. — To-day  Kilpatrick  v/as  ordered  with 
his  regiments  to  reconnoitre  in  the  direction  of  Or- 
ange Court  House.  We  advanced  by  way  of  Chan- 
eellorsville  and  old  Wilderness  Tavern ;  but  on  ap- 
proaching the  Court  House  we  found  it  occupied  by 
a  heavy  force  of  the  enemy.    It  is  evident  that  the 


82         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

Eebcl  army  is  advancing  with  a  show  of  fight  towards 
the  upper  fords  of  the  Eapidan,  where,  we  under- 
stand. Generals  Buford  and  Bayard  are  picketing. 
After  ascertaining  all  we  could  about  present  and 
prospective  movements,  we  returned  to  our  old  camp, 
having  made  a  swift  and  tedious  march. 

BATTLE  OF  CEDAR  MOUNTAIN. 

On  the  ninth  was  fought  the  memorable  battle  of 
Cedar  or  Slaughter's  Mountain,  in  which  both  sides 
claimed  the  victory.  The  Confederates  certainly  had 
the  advantage  of  position,  having  taken  possession  of 
the  wooded  crest  before  the  arrival  of  our  advance  ; 
and  they  also  greatly  outnumbered  the  Union  ranks. 
But  their  loss  was  nearly  double  our  own,  and  nearly 
the  same  ground  was  occupied  by  the  combatants  at 
night,  which  each  held  in  the  beginning  of  the  fight. 
The  cavalry  was  not  conspicuously  engaged  in  this 
bloody  fray,  except  such  portions  of  it  as  were  escort 
or  body-guard  to  officers  in  command,  and  among 
these  some  ^vere  killed.  The  main  cavalry  force 
w^atched  the  flanks,  doing  good  service  there. 

August  10. — At  an  early  hour  of  the  day  the 
Harris  Light  was  ordered  to  report  at  Culpepper 
Court  House,  and  w^e  were  soon  on  the  march.  On 
arriving  at  our  destination  we  found  the  place  well 
nigh  filled  with  our  wounded  from  the  battle  of  yes- 
terday. It  is  estimated  that  not  less  than  fifteen  hun- 
dred of  our  men  w-ere  killed  and  wounded,  about  a 
thousand  of  the  latter  having  found  a  refuge  here. 
The  seventh  part  of  the  casualties  of  a  battle,  on  an 
average,  wdll  number  the  killed  and  mortally  w^ound- 


TJivee  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  83 

ed ;  the  others  claim  the  especial  attention  of  their 
comrades.  It  is  heart-sickening  to  witness  their 
bloody,  mangled  forms.  All  the  public  buildings  and 
many  private  residences  of  this  village  are  occupied 
as  hospitals,  and  the  surgeons  with  their  corps  of  hos- 
pital stewards  and  nurses  are  doing  their  work,  as- 
sisted by  as  many  others  as  have  been  detailed  for 
this  purpose,  or  volunteer  their  services.  The  Eebel 
wounded  who  have  fallen  into  our  hands  receive  the 
same  attention  that  is  bestowed  upon  our  own  men, 
many  of  them  acknowledging  that  they  are  far  better 
off  in  our  care  than  they  would  be  among  their  con- 
federates. 

These  hospitals  are  all  much  more  quiet  than  one 
would  naturally  suppose.  How  calmly  the  brave 
boys  endure  the  wounds  they  have  received  in  de- 
fence of  their  beloved  country  !  Only  now  and  then 
can  be  heard  a  subdued  sob,  or  a  dying  groan  ;  while 
those  who  are  fully  conscious,  though  suffering  ex- 
cruciating pain,  are  either  engaged  in  silent  prayer  or 
meditation,  or  reading  a  Testament  or  a  last  letter 
from  loved  ones,  and  patiently  awaiting  their  turn 
with  the  surgeon  or  the  nurse. 

In  the  most  available  places  tables  have  been 
spread  for  the  purpose  of  amputations.  We  cannot 
approach  them,  with  their  heaps  of  mangled  hands 
and  feet,  of  shattered  bones  and  yet  quivering  flesh, 
without  a  shudder.  A  man  must  need  the  highest 
style  of  heroism  willingly  to  drag  himself  or  be  borne 
by  others  to  one  of  these  tables,  to  undergo  the  pro- 
cesses of  the  amputating  blade.  But  thanks  be  to 
modern  skill  in  surgery,  and  to  the  discoverer  of 


84         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

cliloroform ;  for  by  these  the  operations  are  per- 
formed quickly  and  without  the  least  sensation,  until 
the  poor  brave  awakes  with  the  painful  consciousness 
of  the  loss  of  limbs,  which  no  artificer  can  fully  re- 
place. Thus  the  skill  displayed  and  the  care  taken 
greatly  mitigate  the  horrors  of  battle.  Men  here  are 
wounded  in  every  conceivable  manner,  from  the 
crowns  of  their  heads  to  the  soles  of  their  feet,  while 
some  are  most  fearfully  torn  by  shells.  It  had  been 
thought  that  men  shot  through  the  lungs  or  entrails 
were  past  cure,  yet  several  of  the  former  have  been 
saved,  and  a  few  of  the  latter.  Indeed,  it  would  seem 
as  though  modern  science  was  measuring  nearly  up 
to  the  age  of  miracles. 

We  found  that  a  large  force  of  cavalry  was  con- 
centrating at  Culpepper,  awaiting  new  developments. 
Reconnoissances  are  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  all 
of  them  reveal  that  the  enemy  is  in  motion,  concen- 
trating on  our  front.  Our  picket  lines  are  made 
doubly  strong,  and  the  utmost  vigilance  is  enjoined. 
Scouts  and  spies  are  on  the  rampage,  and  more  or  less 
excitement  prevails  everywhere. 

IMPORTANT  CAVALRY  MOVEMENTS. 

August  16.— To-day  a  small  detachment  of  caval- 
ry under  Colonel  Broadhead,  of  the  First  Michigan 
Cavalry,  was  despatched  on  a  scout  in  the  direction 
of  Louisa  Court  House.  Having  penetrated  to  with- 
in the  enemy's  lines,  and  not  far  from  the  Court 
House,  they  made  a  swift  descent  upon  a  suspicious 
looking  house,  which  proved  to  be  General  Stuart's 
headquarters.    The  general  barely  escaped  through  a 


TJiree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


85 


back  door,  as  it  were  "  by  tlie  skin  of  his  teeth,"  leav- 
ing a  part  of  his  wardrobe  behind  him.  His  belt  fell 
into  our  hands,  and  several  very  important  despatches 
from  General  Lee.  Stuart's  adjutant-general  was 
found  concealed  in  the  house  and  captured.  General 
Pope,  in  his  official  reports,  speaks  of  this  affair  as 
follows : 

The  cavalry  expedition  sent  out  on  the  sixteenth 
in  the  direction  of  Louisa  Court  House,  captured  the 
adjutant-general  of  General  Stuart,  and  was  very 
near  capturing  that  officer  himself.  Among  the  pa- 
pers taken  was  an  autograph  letter  of  General  Robert 
E.  Lee  to  General  Stuart,  dated  Gordonsville,  August 
fifteenth,  which  made  manifest  to  me  the  disposition 
and  force  of  the  enemy  and  their  determination  to 
overwhelm  the  army  under  my  command  before  it 
could  be  rcenforced  by  any  portion  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac." 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  timely  discovery  of  this 
Eebel  order.  General  Pope's  army,  only  a  handful  to 
the  multitudes  which  were  gathering  against  him 
from  the  defences  of  Richmond,  would  have  been 
flanked  and  probably  annihilated.  Assured,  how- 
ever, that  reenforcements  from  JVIcClellan's  army 
could  certainly  reach  him  before  long,  General  Pope 
held  his  advanced  position  to  the  last,  our  pickets 
guarding  the  fords  of  the  Rapidan.  On  the  eight- 
eenth, the  entire  force  of  cavalry  relieved  the  infan- 
try pickets,  and  evident  preparations  were  being 
made  for  a  retreat.  On  the  day  following  a  sharp 
skirmish  took  place  with  Rebel  cavalry  which  ap- 
peared across  the  narrow,  rapid  river.    In  this  en- 


86         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cwmlry. 

gagement  Captain  Charles  Walters,  of  the  Harris 
Light,  \vas  killed,  and  his  remains  were  interred  at 
midnight  just  as  orders  were  received  to  retreat  on  the 
road  to  Culpepper. 

The  cavalry  under  General  Bayard  is  acting  as 
rear  guard  to  our  retreating  columns.  Stuart's  caval- 
ry, with  whom  we  are  engaged  at  almost  every  step, 
is  vanguard  of  the  Rebel  army,  which  is  advancing  as 
rapidly  as  possible.  The  prospect  before  us  is  ex- 
ceedingly dark.  Nothing  is  more  discouraging  to  a 
soldier  than  to  be  compelled  to  retreat,  especially  un- 
der a  general  whose  first  order  on  assuming  com- 
mand contained  the  following  utterances  : 

Meantime,  I  desire  you  to  dismiss  from  your 
minds  certain  phrases  which  I  am  sorry  to  find  much 
in  vogue  among  you. 

I  hear  constantly  of  taking  strong  positions  and 
holding  them — of  lines  of  retreat  and  of  bases  of  sup- 
plies.   Let  us  discard  such  ideas. 

"  The  strongest  position  a  soldier  should  desire  to 
occupy  is  one  from  which  he  can  most  easily  advance 
against  the  enemy. 

"  Let  us  study  the  probable  lines  of  retreat  of  our 
opponents,  and  leave  our  own  to  take  care  of  them- 
selves. Let  us  look  before,  and  not  behind.  Success 
and  glory  are  in  the  advance.  Disaster  and  shame 
lurk  in  the  rear." 

We  all  felt  that  the  moment  we  begin  to  turn  our 
backs  to  the  enemy,  that  moment  we  acknowledge 
ourselves  either  outgeneralled  or  whipped,  a  thing 
most  di^eartening,  and  to  which  pride  never  easily 
condescends.    Our  only  liope  was  based  on  early 


TTiTce  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  89 


reenforcements.  Should  these  fail  us  we  saw  nothmg 
but  defeat  and  disaster  in  our  path. 

August  20. — ^While  our  cavalry  forces  w^ere  feed- 
ing then-  horses  on  the  large  plains  near  Brandy  Sta- 
tion, about  six  o'clock  this  morning,  a  heavy  column 
of  Stuart's  cavalry  was  discovered,  approaching  from 
the  direction  of  Culpepper.  .  Kilpatrick  was  ordered 
to  attack  and  check  this  advance,  which  he  did  in  a 
spirited  manner.  The  Harris  Light  added  fresh 
laurels  to  its  already  famous  record,  and  made  Bran- 
dy Station  memorable  in  the  annals  of  cavalry  con- 
flicts. Stuart's  advance  was  not  only  retarded,  but 
diverted ;  and  it  w^as  made  our  business  to  watch 
closely  his  future  movements. 

On  the  twenty-first  we  reached  Freeman's  Ford, 
on  the  Eappahannock,  which  we  picketed,  preventing 
the  enemy  from  effecting  a  crossing.  As  the  fords 
of  the  river  were  generally  heavily  guarded  up  to 
this  point,  the  enemy  kept  moving  up  the  stream 
toward  our  right,  evidently  designing  to  make  a  flank 
movement  upon  us. 

On  the  twenty-second  a  notable  cavalry  engage- 
ment, with  light  artillery,  took  place  at  "Waterloo 
Bridge.  During  this  fight  a  Eebel  shell  took  eftect  in 
our  ranks,  killing  instantly  the  three  horses  ridden  by 
the  three  officers  of  the  same  company,  dismounting 
the  braves  very  unceremoniously,  but  injuring  no  one 
seriously.  Through  the  darkness  of  the  night  follow- 
ing, Stuart,  with  about  fifteen  hundred  picked  caval- 
ry, effected  a  crossing  of  the  river,  and  after  making 
quite  a  detour  via  Warrenton,  came  down  unper- 
ceived  throuerh  the  intense  darkness  and  the  falling 


90         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


rain  upon  General  Pope's  headquarters  near  Catlett'S 
Station.  He  captured  the  general's  field  quarter- 
master and  many  important  documents,  made  great 
havoc  among  the  guards,  horses,  and  wagons,  and 
finally  escaped,  without  injury  to  himself,  with  about 
three  hundred  prisoners,  and  considerable  private 
baggage  taken  from  the  train.  His  victory  was  in- 
deed a  cheap  one,  but  we  all  felt  its  disgrace,  Avhich 
the  darkness  to  some  extent  exj^lained,  but  did  not 
fully  excuse. 

August  23. — A  severe  contest  occurred  to-day  at 
Sulphur  Springs.  The  enemy  is  pressing  us  hard  at 
every  crossing  of  the  river,  and  continues  to  move 
towards  our  right.  Skirmishing  occurs  at  nearly 
every  hour  of  the  day  and  night,  occasioning  more  or 
less  loss  of  life.  Yesterday  in  a  skirmish  led  by  Gen- 
eral Sigel,  who  had  crossed  the  river.  General  Bohlen 
was  killed,  and  our  forces  driven  back  to  the  north 
side  of  the  river.  While  this  manoeuvring  was  going 
on  along  the  Rappahannock,  General  Lee  had  des- 
patched Stonewall  Jackson,  to  pass  around  our  right, 
which  he  did  by  crossing  about  four  miles  above 
Waterloo,  and,  on  the  twenty-fifth,  he  struck  our 
forces  at  Bristoe  Station,  where  a  severe  contest  took 
place,  the  losses  in  killed  and  wounded  being  heavy 
on  both  sides.  But  the  enemy  was  successful  in  tak- 
ing possession  of  the  railroad ;  and  in  the  evening  a 
portion  of  Stuart's  cavalry,  strengthened  by  two  regi- 
ments of  infantry,  advanced  to  Manassas  Junction, 
where  they  surprised  and  charged  our  guards,  cap- 
turing many  prisoners,  also  ten  locomotives,  seven 
trains  loaded  with  inimcnGe   quantities  of  stores, 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  91 

horses,  tents,  and  eight  cannon.  They  destroyed 
what  they  could  not  take  away.  The  Eebel  General 
Ewell,  having  followed  closely  in  the  track  of  Jack- 
son, also  came  upon  the  railroad  in  rear  of  General 
Pope's  army. 

Our  commander,  greatly  astonished  at  this  embar- 
rassing juncture  of  affairs,  began  to  make  the  best  dis- 
position of  his  forces,  to  extricate  himself  from  the 
toils  that  had  been  carefully  laid  for  him  ;  still  hop- 
ing that  new  forces  would  come  to  his  aid  from 
McClellan's  army  via  Alexandria.  But  "  hope  de- 
ferred made  his  heart  sick,"  and  he  was  compelled  to 
encounter  the  immense  Eebel  hosts,  not  only  massed 
on  his  front,  but  also  lapping  on  his  flanks,  and  pene- 
trating, as  we  have  seen,  even  to  his  rear.  The  situ- 
ation was  critical  in  the  extreme ;  and  had  not  the 
available  forces  behaved  themselves  with  undaunted 
courage  and,  at  times,  with  mad  desperation,  the  dis- 
aster would  have  been  unprecedented. 

Several  unimportant  and  yet  hotly  contested  bat- 
tles Were  fought  at  Sulphur  Springs,  Thoroughfare 
Gap,  Bristoe  Station,  etc.,  and  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  twenty-ninth  commenced  the  battle  of  Grove- 
ton,  by  some  called  the  second  Bull  Kun.  The  Eeb- 
els  were  in  overwhelming  numbers,  though  driven 
badly  during  the  earlier  hours  of  the  day  ;  and  had 
Fitz- John  Porter  brought  his  forces  into  the  action,  the 
victory  must  have  been  ours.  The  cavalry,  though 
quiet  most  of  the  day,  made  an  important  charge  in 
the  evening.  The  carnage  liad  been  terrible,  and  the 
fields  were  strewn  with  the  dead  and  dying.  It  is 
estimated  that  the  casualties  would  include  not  less 


92         Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

than  seven  thousand  men  on  our  side  alone ;  and  it 
is  fair  to  suppose  that  the  enemy  has  lost  not  less  than 
that  number. 

August  30. — Our  lines  having  fallen  back  during 
the  night,  the  battle  was  renewed  to-day  on  the  field 
of  the  first  Bull  Run.  But  the  fates  were  again  against 
us,  and,  though  not  panic-stricken,  our  men  retired 
from  the  field  at  night,  until  they  rested  themselves 
on  the  heights  of  Centreville.  The  enemy  did  not 
follow  us  very  closely,  not  attempting  even  to  cross 
Bull  Run. 

On  the  thirty-first  General  Pope  expected  to  be 
attacked  in  his  strong  position  at  Centreville,  but  the 
enemy  was  too  cautious  to  expose  himself  in  a  position 
so  advantageous  to  ourselves,  where  the  repulse  of 
Malvern  Hill  might  have  been  repeated.  Quiet  reign- 
ed along  our  entire  line  during  the  day. 

KEARNY'S  DEATH  AT  CHANTILLY. 

Septemher  1. — ^Becoming  aware  that  a  flank  move- 
ment was  in  operation.  General  Pope  started  his  en- 
tire army  in  the  direction  of  Washington.  But  his 
army  had  not  proceeded  far,  before  one  of  his  col- 
umns, which  had  been  sent  to  intercept  the  Little 
River  Turnpike,  near  Chantilly,  encountered  Stone- 
wall Jackson,  who  had  led  his  weary,  yet  intrepid 
legions  entirely  around  our  right  wing,  and  now  con- 
tested our  farther  retreat.  General  Isaac  J.  Stevens, 
commanding  General  Reno's  Second  division,  who 
led  our  advance,  at  once  ordered  a  charge  and  moved 
with  terrible  impetuosity  upon  the  foe ;  but  he  was 
shot  dead,  on  the  very  start,  by  a  bullet  through  his 


Tliree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


93 


head.  His  command  was  thereupon  thrown  into  nt- 
ter  disorder,  uncovering  General  Eeno's  First  divi- 
sion, which  was  also  demoralized  and  broken. 

Just  at  this  critical  moment,  General  Philip 
Kearnj,  who  was  leading  one  of  General  Heintzel- 
man's  divisions,  advanced  with  intrepid  heart  and  un- 
faltering step  upon  the  exultant  foe.  This  was  dur- 
ing a  most  fearful  thunder-storm,  so  furious  that  with 
difficulty  could  ammunition  be  kept  at  all  servicea- 
ble, and  the  roar  of  cannon  could  scarcely  be  heard 
a  half  dozen  miles  away.  The  Eebel  ranks  recoiled 
and  broke  before  this  terrible  bolt  of  war.  Just  be- 
fore dark,  while  riding  too  carelessly  over  the  field 
and  very  near  the  rebel  lines,  Kearny  was  shot  dead 
by  one  of  the  enemy's  sharpshooters.  His  command 
devolved  upon  General  Birney,  who  ordered  another 
charge,  which  was  executed  with  great  gallantry, 
driving  the  enemy  from  the  field,  and  defeating  the 
great  flanker  in  his  attempts  farther  to  harass  our 
retreating  columns.  But  our  success  had  been  dearly 
bought.  Two  generals  had  been  sacrificed,  and 
Kearny  especially  was  lamented  all  over  the  land. 
Of  him  the  poet  sings  : 

"  Our  country  bleeds 
With  blows  her  own  hands  strike.    He  starts,  he  heeds 
Her  cries  for  succor.   In  a  foreign  land 
He  dwells  ;  his  bowers  with  luxury's  pinions  fanned, 
His  cup  with  roses  crowned.    He  dashes  down 

The  cup,  he  leaves  the  bowers  ;  he  flies  to  aid 

His  native  land.    Out  leaps  his  patriot  blade ! 
Quick  to  the  van  he  darts.  -  Again  the  frown 
Of  strife  bends  blackening ;  once  again  his  ear 

War's  furious  trump  with  stern  delight  drinks  in  ; 
Again  the  Battle-Bolt  in  red  career  ! 

Again  the  fiood,  the  frenzy,  and  the  din  ! 


94 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


At  tottering  Williamsburg  his  granite  front 
Bears  without  shock  the  battle's  fiercest  brunt. 
So  have  we  seen  the  crag  beat  back  the  blast, 
So  has  the  shore  the  surges  backward  cast. 
Behind  his  rock  the  shattered  ranks  reform  ; 
Forward,  still  forward,  until  dark  defeat 
Burns  to  bright  victory  1 
*******  * 

Fame  commands 
The  song ;  we  yield  it  gladly  ;  but  the  glow 
Fades  as  we  sing.   The  dire,  the  fatal  blow 
Fell,  fell  at  last.    Full,  fall  in  deadliest  front 
Leading  his  legions,  leading  as  his  wont, 
The  bullet  wafis  him  to  his  mortal  goal  1 

And  not  alone  War's  thunders  saw  liim  die ; 
Amid  the  glare,  the  rushing^  and  the  roll. 

Glared,  crashed,  tYie  grand  dread  battle  of  the  sky  I 
There  on  two  phiions, — War's  and  Storm's, — he  soared 
Filglit  how  majestic !  up  !   His  dirge  was  roared 
Not  warbled,  and  his  pall  was  smoke  and  cloud ; 

Flowers  of  red  shot,  red  lightnings  strewed  his  bier, 
And  night,  black  night,  the  mourner. 
*******  « 

Now  farewell, 
0  hero  !   In  our  Glory's  Pantheon 
Thy  name  will  shine,  a  name  immortal  won 
By  deeds  immortal !   In  our  heart's  deep  heart 
Thy  statued  fame,  that  never  shall  depart, 
Shall  tower,  the  loftier  as  Time  fleets,  and  show 
How  Heaven  can  sometimes  plant  its  Titans  here  below." 


General  Pope,  during  all  the  day,  and  most  of  the 
night,  hastened  his  retreat,  and  on  the  second  of  Sep- 
tember, his  broken  and  demoralized  columns  found 
rest  and  rations  within  the  fortifications  which  guard 
the  approaches  to  Washington.  Thus  ended  General 
Pope's  brief  and  trying  career  as  commander  of  the 
Army  of  Virginia.  Here  he  resigned  his  command, 
and  was  succeeded  by  General  McClellan. 


Three  Yeccrs  in  Ike  Fedeml  Cavalry.  95 


CHAPTEE  VI. 

KEBEL  INVASION  OF  MARYLAND 

1S63. — Ecsult  of  Pope's  Campaign. — Kest  and  Recruit  at  Hull's  Hill. — 
My  Maryland  ;  "  Its  Invasion. — Offensive  Policy  of  the  Rebellion. — 
Pennsylvania  and  the  Whole  Country  Aroused.— Battle  of  South 
Mountain. — Harper's  Perry. — Colonel  Miles. — Ilis  Treachery  and 
Death. — Bloody  Battle  of  Antietam. — Drilling  Recruits. — ^The  Harris 
Light  again  at  the  Front. — At  Chantilly. — Sudley  Church. — Leesburg. 
— ^McClellan  again  Relieved  from  Command. 

BY  tlie  almost  continual  fighting  of  General  Pope's 
campaign^  our  ranks  had  been  greatly  depleted. 
Of  the  cavalry  in  general  one  correspondent  makes 
the  following  remark:  They  picket  our  outposts, 
scout  the  whole  country  for  information,  open  our 
fights,  cover  our  retreats,  or  clear  up  and  finish  our 
victories,  as  the  case  may  be.  In  short,  they  are 
never  idle,  and  rarely  find  rest  for  either  men  or 
horses."  We  had  felt  the  influence  of  this  wear  and 
tear  so  sadly,  that  our  once  full  and  noble  regiment 
was  now  reduced  to  about  three  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  scarcely  one  third  of  our  original  number, 
l^early  every  regiment  of  cavalry  which  had  parti- 
cipated in  the  misfortunes  of  the  campaign,  had  suf- 
fered a  like  decimation.  To  replenish  our  weakened 
ranks  and  to  infuse  new  vigor  and  discipline  into  the 
various  commands,  became  a  question  of  no  little  mo- 
ment.   Consequently  a  large  number  of  regiments, 


96         Ttiree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

under  the  direct  supervision  of  General  Bayard,  were 
ordered  to  Hall's  Hill,  about  ten  miles  from  "Washing- 
ton, where  we  established  camps  of  instruction  and 
drill. 

During  the  disasters  of  the  Peninsular  campaign, 
and  the  subsequent  defeats  and  retreats  from  the 
Rapidan  to  the  Potomac,  the  country  had  awakened 
to  the  importance  of  increasing  the  army  by  new  or- 
ganizations, and  of  filling  up  the  broken  ranks  by 
fresh  levies  of  recruits.  This  feeling  was  greatly  in- 
tensified by  the  exposure  of  Washington  to  the  vic- 
torious and  advancing  enemy,  and  by  the  invasions 
of  JSTorthern  soil,  which  the  triumphs  of  the  Rebellion 
made  imminent.  Hence  multitudes  of  recruits  were 
pouring  into  Washington  principally,  and  into  other 
places,  gladly  donning  the  uniform,  and  eager  to 
learn  the  duties,  of  the  soldier.  Camps  of  instruction 
were,  of  course,  necessary.  And  as  the  attention  of 
young  men  was  turning  very  favorably  to  the  cavahy 
service,  our  camps  at  Hall's  Hill  were  the  scenes  of 
daily  arrivals  of  fine  specimens  of  patriots,  whose 
hands  were  warmly  grasped  by  us ;  and  gladly  we 
initiated  them  into  the  mysteries  of  this  new  science. 
We  were  not  a  little  elated  at  the  epithet  of  Yet- 
eran,"  which  these  recruits  lavished  upon  us. 

The  experiences  and  labors  of  our  old  camps 
Oregon  "  and  Sussex  "  were  repeated  with  some- 
what of  new  combinations  and  interests,  as  we  sought 
to  prepare  ourselves  and  others  more  thoroughly  than 
before  to  meet  the  foe  in  coming  campaigns. 

We  had  scarcely  reached  our  new  camps  and  en- 
tered upon  our  new  labors,  when  we  learned  that 


Three  YeaT8  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  97 

General  Lee  was  marching  his  confident  hosts  into 
Maryland.  This  movement  at  first  was  regarded  as 
a  feint  only,  with  the  intention  of  uncovering  Wash- 
mgton ;  but  as  column  after  column  was  known  to 
have  crossed  the  Potomac,  and  to  be  advancing 
through  the  State  with  more  or  less  rapidity,  the 
tocsin  of  alarm  was  sounded  everywhere,  and  a  gen- 
eral movement  was  made  to  repel  the  invaders. 
Pennsylvania  was  thoroughly  aroused,  and  her  loyal 
and  true  governor  issued  a  proclamation  calling  upon 
all  the  able-bodied  men  of  the  Commonwealth  to  or- 
ganize for  defence.  The  militia  promptly  responded 
to  the  call,  and  military  preparations  were  going  on, 
not  only  in  the  old  Keystone  State,  but  throughout 
the  land. 

Up  to  this  time  the  attitude  of  the  Eebels  had  been 
defensive,  but  their  recent  great  victories  had  led 
them  to  change  their  tactics,  and  thinking  that  ulti- 
mate success  was  almost  within  their  grasp,  they  now 
assumed  the  ofi'ensive  policy.  Aside  from  this  con- 
sideration they  doubtless  hoped  to  awaken  in  the 
Border  States  a  sympathy  and  an  enthusiasm  on 
their  behalf,  which  thus  far  they  had  failed  to  create  ; 
and  that  their  brilliant  march  northward  would  not 
only  carry  a  strong  political  influence,  but  that  their 
ranks  would  be  greatly  swollen  by  accessions  of  re- 
cruits from  those  States.  This  indication  of  Eebel 
thought  is  evidently  found  in  the  address  which  Gen- 
eral Lee  issued  to  the  people  of  Maryland  on  the 
eighth  day  of  September.  In  it  are  found  the  follow- 
ing sentences : 

The  people  of  the  Confederate  States  have  long 


98        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

watched  with,  the  deepest  sympathy  the  wrongs  and 
outrages  that  have  been  inflicted  npon  the  citizens  of 
a  Commonwealth  allied  to  the  States  of  the  South  by 
the  strongest  social,  political,  and  commercial  ties, 
and  reduced  to  the  condition  of  a  conquered  prov- 
ince.   ^'  ^ 

"  Believing  that  the  people  of  Maryland  possess  a 
spu'it  too  lofty  to  submit  to  such  a  Government,  the 
people  of  the  South  have  long  wished  to  aid  you  in 
throwing  off  this  foreign  yoke,  to  enable  jou  again 
to  enjoy  the  inalienable  rights  of  freemen,  and  restore 
the  independence  and  sovereignty  of  your  State. 

"  In  obedience  to  this  wish,  our  army  has  come 
among  you,  and  is  prepared  to  assist  you  with  the 
power  of  its  arms  in  regaining  the  rights  of  which 
you  have  been  so  unjustly  despoiled." 

"But  the  fond  hopes  which  prompted  this  address 
were  destined  to  be  blasted.  Lee's  advancing  col- 
umns met  no  resistance,  and  marched  directly  upon 
Frederick  City,  where  recruiting  offices  were  opened 
under  the  superintendence  of  General  Bradley  T. 
Johnson,  who  had  left  this  city,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war,  to  serve  in  the  Rebel  army.  But  the  Con- 
federate chiefs  were  disappointed.  The  number  who 
were  marshalled  under  their  stars  and  bars  did  not 
exceed  the  number  of  those  who,  tired  of  training  in 
Rebel  gray,  deserted  their  banner. 

The  enemy's  peaceful  march  through  the  State 
and  its  quiet  possession  were  not  of  long  duration ; 
and  the  invaders  soon  found  other  work  to  do,  than 
to  make  political  orders  and  harangues,  and  to  in- 
crease their  ranks  by  recruits.    From  Washington 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  99 

the  Union  army  began  to  advance  with  considerable 
strength  and  determination,  compelling  General  Lee 
to  relinquish  his  design  of  penetrating  into  Pennsyl- 
vania. Initiatory  steps  were  now  being  taken  for  a 
great  battle,  the  first  encounter  of  which  took  place, 
under  General  Pleasanton,  who  commanded  our 
cavalry  during  this  campaign,  at  the  Catoctin  Creek, 
in  Middletown,  Maryland.  The  enemy's  rear-guard, 
consisting  of  cavalry,  was  struck  with  some  force,  the 
prelude  of  the  battle  of  South  Mountain,  at  Turner's 
Gap.  The  enemy  having  taken  possession  of  this 
mountain  pass,  was  driven  from  it  only  after  the  most 
obstinate  resistance  and  severe  loss,  and  forced  to 
leave  only  before  superior  numbers.  This  occurred 
on  the  fourteenth  ;  and  the  victory,  though  somewhat 
dearly  bought,  inspired  our  troops  with  new  courage, 
and  gave  them  a  foretaste  of  better  days. 

HARPER^S  FERRY  AND  ANTIETAM. 

But  during  the  day  we  have  received  sad  tidings 
from  Harper's  Ferry,  a  point  of  no  little  importance 
to  the  invaders.  Unfortunately  for  us  the  place  was 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Miles,  who,  for  his 
drankenness  and  general  incompetency,  had  made  him- 
self conspicuous  during  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run. 
Why  such  a  man  was  left  in  command  of  at  least  ten 
thousand  men,  and  at  a  place  of  so  much  interest, 
cannot  well  be  accounted  for. 

Aware  as  he  must  have  been  several  daj' s  ago, 
that  this  position  was  a  coveted  prize  and  would  un- 
doubtedly be  assailed,  he  neither  retreated,  nor  forti- 
fied himself  as  he  easily  could  have  done  to  hold  out 


100       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

for  a  loDg  time  against  a  superior  force.  Nothing  but 
imbecility  or  treachery  could  have  controlled  his  con- 
duct. On  the  eleventh  his  command  was  increased 
largely  by  a  force  under  General  Julius  "White,  who 
had  evacuated  Martinsburg  on  the  approach  of  Stone- 
wall Jackson. 

But  to-day  he  was  attacked  from  various  positions, 
and  his  forces  driven  ;  and  on  the  fifteenth,  being  at- 
tacked from  at  least  seven  commanding  positions, 
early  in  the  day  the  white  flag  was  raised,  which  the 
enemy  failing  to  see,  continued  to  fire  for  several 
minutes,  during  which  time  Colonel  Miles  was  killed, 
some  say  by  a  Kebel  shell,  others  assert  by  some  of 
his  own  men.  By  this  shameful  surrender  there  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  nearly  twelve  thousand 
men,  half  of  them  New  Yorkers,  w^ho  had  just  entered 
the  service;  also  seventy -three  guns  good  and  bad; 
thirteen  thousand  small  arms ;  two  hundred  w^agons, 
and  a  large  supply  of  tents  and  camp  equipage. 

Stonewall  Jackson,  who  had  commanded  the  ex- 
pedition from  Frederick  to  Harper's  Ferry,  now 
moved  forw^ard  to  join  Lee's  main  army,  w^hich  he  did 
on  the  sixteenth.  From  South  Mountain  General 
McClellan  began  to  collect  his  forces  w^ell  in  hand 
and  to  move  towards  Boonsborough.  Here  General 
Pleasanton  again  struck  the  Eebel  cavalry  rear- 
guard, capturing  two  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners  and 
two  field-pieces.  Infantry  supports  were  following 
our  cavalry  very  closely,  and,  after  marching  about 
twelve  miles,  they  discovered  the  Rebels  in  force 
posted  on  the  south  bank  of  Antietam  Creek,  just  in 
Iront  of  the  little  village  of  Sharpsburg.    Our  troops 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  101 

entered  into  bivouacs  for  the  night,  expecting  to  at- 
tack the  enemy  early  next  morning.  But  the  morn- 
ing and  most  of  the  day  passed  in  idleness,  while  the 
Eebels  were  fortifying  their  positions,  and  gathering 
their  forces  which  had  been  more  or  less  scattered. 
Had  McClellan  ordered  an  advance  that  morning 
early,  the  sixteenth  of  September,  1862,  would  have 
witnessed  a  comparatively  easy  and  complete  vic- 
tory. 

At  four  o'clock  p.  m..  General  Joseph  Hooker  was 
sent  out  on  the  right.  Moving  at  a  sufficient  distance 
to  keep  out  of  sight  of  the  Eebel  batteries,  he  forded 
the  Antietam,  and,  soon  afterward  turning  sharply  to 
the  left,  came  down  upon  the  enemy  near  the  road  to 
Hagerstown.  But  darkness  soon  coming  on  put  a 
speedy  end  to  the  conflict. 

September  17. — This  day  has  witnessed  the  grand 
and  glorious  battle  of  Antietam,  the  particulars  of 
which  I  need  not  record.  It  is  enough  to  say,  that 
the  daring  of  our  men  and  their  heroic  deeds  upon 
this  field,  wiped  out  forever,  in  Rebel  blood,  the  dis- 
grace and  foul  stain  cast  upon  our  arms  in  the  mo- 
mentous military  blunders  and  defeats  which  have 
followed  us  since  the  beginning  of  this  great  Ameri- 
can conflict. 

The  losses  were  heavy  on  both  sides,  but  the 
enemy  was  fairly  beaten,  and  driven  from  his  chosen 
positions  ;  and  night  closed  the  most  sanguinary  day 
ever  known  to  the  American  continent.  McClellan 
ought  to  have  followed  up  his  victory  early  next 
morning,  but  hesitating,  the  enemy  made  good  his 
escape  across  the  Potomac,  leaving  only  his  dead 


102       Three  Years  in  the  Fedeml  Cavalry. 

and  desperately  wounded,  the  latter  nnmbering  about 
two  thousand,  in  onr  hands. 

October  4. — We  are  still  in  our  carnps  at  Hall's 
Hill,  teaching  and  learning  the  tactics  of  war.  To- 
day Kilpatrick  detailed  me  to  act  as  drill-master,  and 
gave  me  the  command  of  a  detachment  of  recruits. 
This  gives  me  a  new  phase  of  armj^  experience,  and 
though  it  has  its  difficulties,  as  one  will  always  find 
when  he  endeavors  to  control men  of  many  minds," 
yet  I  find  a  good  exercise  of  my  little  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  and  realize  that  the  influence  of  my 
new  labor  upon  myself  is  very  salutary.  I  had  thought 
that  I  was  master  of  all  the  preliminary  steps  of  the 
science  and  art  of  a  soldier's  discipline,  but  in  endeav- 
oring to  teach  the  same  to  others,  I  have  learned  so 
much  myself,  that  it  now  seems  to  me  that  what  T 
knew  before  was  the  merest  rudiment.  This  I  learn 
is  the  experience  of  others  who  are  engaged  in  similar 
work.  Helping  others  has  a  wonderful  reflex  influ- 
ence upon  ourselves.  I  often  wonder  if  this  may  no 
explain  in  part  the  philosophy  of  that  passage  of  Holy 
Writ,  which  says,  "  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to 
receive."  In  this  exercise  of  drilling,  and  in  the  com- 
parative monotony  of  camp  life,  we  spent  the  month 
of  October. 

All  was  quiet  along  the  entire  lines  of  the  great 
armies.  Our  ranks  had  been  greatly  swollen  by  new 
accessions ;  yet  General  McClellan  was  constantly  call- 
ing for  reenforcements,  and  all  kinds  of  supplies,  al- 
leging that  the  army  was  in  no  condition  to  move. 
At  length  about  the  twenty-sixth  of  October  a  feeble 
advance  was  made  across  the  Potomac.    Several  days 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  103 

were  spent  in  putting  tlie  Federal  army  on  the  sacred 
soil  and  under  marching  orders.  N"o  opposition  was 
encountered  in  the  march.  Our  forces  moved  along 
the  east  side  of  the  Blue  Eidge,  the  enemy  still  occu- 
pying the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  moving  southward 
on  a  line  parallel  with  our  own. 

November  2. — The  Harris  Light  broke  camp  at 
Hall's  Hill  and  advanced  to  the  Chantilly  Mansion, 
bivouacking  on  its  beautiful  grounds.  This  property 
is  said  to  be  owned  by  one  of  the  Stuarts,  who  is 
reported  to  be  a  quartermaster-general  in  the  Kebel 
service.  Pleasant  as  was  the  place,  with  its  fine  walks, 
bordered  with  fl.owers  and  evergreen  shrubbery ;  its 
fruitful  gardens  and  groves,  the  cold  of  the  night 
made  our  stay  not  the  most  agreeable.  The  next 
morning  we  pursued  our  line  of  march  to  Sudley 
Church,  near  Bull  Eun,  where  we  encountered  a 
strong  force  of  Stuart's  cavalry.  After  a  sharp  con- 
flict, in  which  Yankee  ingenuity  and  grit  were  fairly 
tested,  the  chivalry  retired  southwestwardly,  acknowl- 
edging themselves  badly  defeated. 

November  4. — To-day  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
move  to  Leesburg,  near  which  we  pitched  our  shelters. 
This  is  an  old,  aristocratic  village,  the  shire-town  of 
Loudon  County.  It  is  situated  in  a  lovely  valley,  at 
the  terminus  of  the  Loudon  and  Hampshire  Eailroad, 
and  is  only  about  two  miles  from  the  Potomac,  and 
an  equal  distance  from  Goose  Creek,  which  is  a  con- 
siderable stream.  Though  this  county  sent  many 
brave  men  into  the  Union  ranks,  probably  more  than 
any  other  county  of  the  same  population  in  Virginia, 
yet  Leesburg  is  almost  a  facsimile  of  Charlestown, 


104:       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

the  capital  of  Jefferson  County,  the  s.cene  of  John 
Brown's  execution,  where  all  the  people,  including 
women  and  children,  are    secession  to  a  man." 

All  this  while  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac 
was  moving  southward  at  a  snail's  pace;  and  on  th.e 
seventh  of  November,  just  after  reaching  Warrentoii, 
General  McClellan  was  relieved  from  command,  and 
directed  to  report  to  the  authorities  by  letter  from 
Trenton,  New  Jersey.  Thus  ended  another  indecisive 
campaign,  which  though  it  had  witnessed  a  greater 
victory  than  ever  won  before,  yet  had  failed  to  reap 
the  fruits  thereof. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  105 


CHAPTER  YII. 


McCLELLAN  SUCCEEDED  BY  BURNSIDE. 


1862.— Burnside's  First  Campaign. — Army  of  the  Potomac  in  Three 
Divisions. — Advance  from  Warrenton  to  Falmouth. — General  StahePs 
Eaid  to  the  Shenandoah. — Laying  Pontoons  across  the  Eappaliannock 
under  Fire. — Battle  of  Fredericksburg. — Daring  Feats  and  General 
Heroism. — Death  of  General  Bayard. — The  Hospitals. — Sanitary 
and  Christian  Commissions. — Camp  "  Bayard." — Camp-Fires. — Win- 
ter Quarters. — Friendly  Kelationa  of  Pickets. — Trading. — Pay -Day. 
—"Stuck in  the  Mud." 


PON  General  Ambrose  Biirnside  fell  the  choice 


Union  army.  He  assumed  it  with  great  reluctance  and 
unfeigned  self-distrust,  and  only  as  a  matter  of  obedi- 
ence to  orders.  This  change  in  the  commanding 
officer,  deleterious  and  dangerous  as  it  might  be  upon 
the  morale  of  the  army,  was  nevertheless  considered 
necessary  and  expedient. 

Having  secured,  by  somewhat  formidable  forces, 
the  principal  gaps  or  passages  of  the  Blue  Eidge, 
which  had  been  occupied  by  the  enemy  since  their 
advance  into  the  Valley,  General  Burnside  began  to 
make  preparations  to  move  his  army  to  Fredericks- 
burg, as  being  the  most  feasible  and  direct  line  from 
Washington  to  Richmond.  To  mask  as  long  as  pos- 
sible his  real  design,  he  threatened  an  attack  upon 
Gordonsville ;  but  General  Lee,  by  the  aid  of  his 


commander  of  the  great 


5 


106       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

emissaries  and  raiders,  soon  ascertained  his  plans, 
and  moving  his  army  across  the  Blue  Eidge,  through 
the  western  passes,  he  took  his  position  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Rappahannock,  to  prevent  Burnside's 
crossing. 

November  8. — The  Harris  Light  broke  camp  at 
Leesburg  early  in  the  morning,  and  advanced  to 
White  Plains,  where  we  encountered  and  defeated  a 
detachment  of  Rebel  cavalry,  driving  them  towards 
the  mountains.  Continuing  our  journey  through  this 
pleasant  valley  between  the  Blue  Ridge  and  the  Bull 
Run  mountains,  we  soon  joined  our  main  army,  whose 
headquarters  were  at  Warrenton.  This  is  the  most 
beautiful  village  in  tins  region  of  country,  situated  on 
the  crest  of  fruitful  hills,  and  elegantly  laid  out.  It  is 
the  shire-town  of  Fauquier  County.  Here  a  few  days 
were  consumed  in  effecting  the  alterations  incident 
upon  a  change  of  commander,  and  on  the  fourteenth 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  constituted  into  three 
grand  divisions,  to  be  commanded  respectively  by 
Generals  Sumner,  Franklin,  and  Hooker.  The  follow- 
ing day  Warrenton  was  abandoned,  and  the  army 
swept  down  towards  the  Rappahannock.  The  sight 
was  a  grand  one.  On  our  march,  orders  were  received 
from  President  Lincoln  enjoining  a  stricter  observance 
of  the  Sabbath  in  the  army  and  navy,  than  had  been 
done  before.  As  a  general  thing  the  Sabbath  had  not 
been  regarded  as  any  more  than  any  other  day.  In- 
deed, very  few  men  in  the  rank  and  file  kept  any 
calendar  of  time,  and  seldom  knew  the  date  or  day. 
This  was  occasionally  the  case  even  with  officers. 
The  only  possible  way  of  keeping  pace  with  flying 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  107 

time  in  the  army,  is  by  writing  a  diary.  But  even 
when  it  was  known  that  the  Sabbath  had  been  reached, 
no  regard  was  taken  of  its  saefed  character.  One  of 
the  causes  of  our  disaster  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull 
Run  was  supposed  by  many  to  be,  that  we  had  de- 
secrated the  holy  Sabbath  by  our  attack.  However 
true  or  false  such  a  view  may  have  been,  the  order 
we  received  to-day  from  Washington  was  universally 
felt  to  be  opportune. 

Two  dajs'  march  brought  our  advance  to  Fal- 
mouth, and  on  the  twenty -first  General  Patrick,  our 
provost-marshal  general,  was  directed  to  repair  to 
Fredericksburg  under  a  flag  of  truce,  and  request  the 
surrender  of  the  city.  The  authorities  replied,  that 
while  its  buildings  and  streets  would  no  longer  be 
used  by  Rebel  sharp-shooters  to  annoy  our  forces 
across  the  river,  its  occupation  by  Yankee  troops 
would  be  resisted  to  the  last.  Had  the  means  of 
crossing  the  river  been  at  hand,  General  Burnside 
would  have  made  hostile  demonstrations  at  once ;  but 
through  some  misunderstanding  between  himself  and 
General  Halleck,  at  Washington,  the  pontoons  were 
not  in  readiness. 

November  28. — A  strong  force  of  Rebel  cavalry, 
under  General  Wade  Hampton,  dashed  across  the 
river  at  some  of  the  upper  fords,  raided  up  around 
Dumfries  and  the  Occoquan,  captured  several  prison- 
ers and  wagons,  and  returned  to  their  side  of  the 
river  without  loss.  As  a  sort  of  offset  to  this,  on  the 
twenty-ninth.  General  Julius  Stahel,  who  commanded 
a  brigade  of  cavalry  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  com- 
menced an  expedition  of  great- daring  and  success,  to 


108       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

the  Shenandoali  Yalley.  Haying  advanced  to  Snick- 
er's Gap  in  the  Blue  Kidge,  a  strong  Rebel  picket-post 
was  captured  by  our  vanguard.  Pressing  forward 
on  the  main  thoroughfare,  they  soon  reached  the 
Shenandoah  river,  and  were  not  a  little  annoyed  by 
Eebel  carbineers,  hidden  behind  old  buildings  across 
the  stream.  Captain  Abram  H.  Krom,  commanding 
a  detachment  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  and 
leading  the  advance,  dashed  across  tlie  river,  though 
deep  and  the  current  swift,  closely  followed  by 
his  men.  On  reaching  the  opposite  bank,  a  charge 
was  ordered,  and  executed  in  so  gallant  a  manner 
that  several  Eebels  were  made  prisoners,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  squad  was  driven  away  at  a  break- 
neck speed.  Our  men  pursued  them  in  a  scrambling 
race  for  nearly  three  miles,  when  they  came  upon  a 
Eebel  camp,  v/hich  was  attacked  in  a  furious  manner. 
Our  boys  made  noise  enough  for  a  brigade,  though 
only  a  squadron  was  at  hand.  The  enemy  attempted 
a  defence,  but  utterly  failed.  Eeenforcements  com- 
ing to  our  aid,  the  Eebels  were  thoroughly  beaten 
and  driven  away,  leaving  in  our  hands  one  captain, 
two  lieutenants,  thirty-two  privates,  one  stand  of 
colors,  and  several  wagons  and  ambulances.  Most 
of  these  were  laden  with  booty  taken  by  "White's 
guerillas  in  a  recent  raid  into  Poolesville,  Maryland. 
Sixty  horses  and  fifty  heads  of  cattle  were  also  cap- 
tured in  this  gallant  charge.  "With  all  their  spoils 
the  expedition  returned,  via  Leesburg,  arriving  at 
their  camps  in  safety. 

But  all  eyes  were  turned  expectantly  towards 
Fredericksburg,  with  its  two  vast  armies  preparing 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  109 

for  a  grand  encounter.  Nearly  all  the  citizens  of  the 
city  had  left  their  homes  and  fled  southward.  While 
General  Burnside  waited  for  his  pontoons.  General 
Lee  was  fortifying  the  Heights  in  rear  of  the  city, 
and  concentrating  his  forces  for  the  anticipated  on- 
set.   This  state  of  things  was  greatly  regretted. 

December  11. — The  laying  of  the  pontoons  com- 
menced in  the  night,  but  the  task  was  only  partially 
performed  when  daylight  made  the  sappers  and 
miners  at  work  a  fair  mark  for  the  sharpshooters, 
who  were  hidden  among  the  buildings  which  lined 
the  opposite  shore,  and  whose  numbers  had  largely 
increased  within  a  few  days.  Battery  after  battery 
was  opened  on  Falmouth  Heights,  until  not  less  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  guns,  at  good  range,  were 
belching  fire  and  destruction  upon  the  nearly  tenant- 
less  dty,  and  still  the  sharpshooters  prevented  the 
completion  of  the  pontoons,  and  disputed  our  cross- 
ing. At  this  critical  moment  the  Seventh  Michigan 
regiment  of  infantry  immortalized  their  names.  Fail- 
ing, after  some  entreaty,  to  secure  the  assistance  of 
the  engineer  corps  to  row  them  across,  they  under- 
took the  perilous  labor  themselves,  and  amid  the  rat- 
tling of  bullets  and  the  cheers  and  shouts  of  our  own 
men,  they  reached  the  opposite  shore,  with  five  of 
their  number  killed,  and  sixteen  wounded,  including 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Baxter.  They  immediately  dashed 
through  the  streets  of  the  city,  and  being  quickly  re- 
enforced  by  other  regiments,  they  soon  cleared  the 
rifle-pits  and  buildings  adjacent  to  the  stream  of  all 
annoyance.  Foremost  among  the  noble  men  who 
performed  this  heroic  work  was  the  Rev.  Arthur  B. 


110       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

Fuller,  cliaplain  of  the  Sixteenth  Massachusetts  in- 
fantry, who  was  killed  by  a  rifle-shot. 

Our  pontoons  were  now  laid  in  quietness  to  the 
city ;  and  about  three  miles  below  General  Franklin 
laid  his  pontoons  without  opposition.  Several  bridges 
were  thus  constructed,  and  before  night  the  main  body 
of'infantry  and  cavalry  filed  across  the  river,  prepara- 
tory to  a  grand  engagement.  On  the  twelfth  General 
Bayard  moved  his  cavalry  down  the  river  six  miles, 
and  was  posted  on  picket.  Several  shots  wore  ex- 
changed with  the  Rebel  pickets  during  the  day,  and 
the  demon  of  fight  seemed  to  exist  everywhere. 

December  13. — The  night  had  been  cold,  and  the 
morning  was  dimmed  by  a  heavy  fog  which  covered 
friend  and  foe.  But  orders  for  an  attack  upon  the 
formidable  works  of  the  enemy  had  been  given,  and 
even  before  the  mist  arose.  General  Gibbon  opened 
fire  with  his  heavy  artillery,  which  v/as  responded  to, 
but  without  much  effect,  owing  to  the  fog,  which, 
however,  disappeared  about  eleven  o'clock.  The 
engagement  now  became  general,  and  the  fighting 
was  of  a  character  more  desperate  and  determined 
than  ever  known  before. 

The  line  of  Rebel  fortifications  was  so  far  back 
from  the  river,  that  our  artillery,  posted  on  the  Fal- 
mouth Heights,  was  out  of  range,  and  made  more 
havoc  in  our  advancing  ranks  than  in  the  ranks  of 
the  enemy,  until  the  fire  was  silenced  by  order  of 
General  Burnside.  About  one  o'clock,  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  movements  of  the  day  was  performed 
by  General  George  G.  Meade's  division,  which  by -a 
terrific  charge,  gained  the  crest  of  the  hill,  which  was 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  Ill 

near  the  key  of  the  position.  But  not  being  sufficiently 
supported,  they  were  compelled  to  retire,  bringing 
away  several  hundred  prisoners  with  them. 

Another  masterpiece  of  gallantry  was  presented 
nearer  the  towm,  at  Marye's  Heights,  where  General 
Meagher's  Irish  Brigade  repeatedly  charged  the  Eebel 
works,  until  at  least  two-thirds  of  his  stalwart  men 
strewed  the  ground,  killed  and  wounded.  Brig- 
ade after  brigade  was  ordered  to  take  these  heights, 
and  though  their  ranks  were  mown  down  like  grass 
before  the  scythe,  in  the  very  mouth  of  Rebel  guns 
the  effort  was  again  and  again  made.  Midway  up 
the  Heights  was  a  heavy  stone  wall,  behind  which  lay 
the  hosts  of  the  enemy,  who  delivered  their  fire  with 
scarcely  any  exposure,  sweeping  down  our  columns 
as  they  approached.  This  hillside  was  completely 
strewn  with  our  dead  and  disabled,  and  at  length  our 
assailing  ranks  retired,  compelled  to  abandon  their 
futile  and  murderous  attempts.  But  in  the  language 
of  General  Sumner,  they  did  all  that  men  could  do." 
This  could  be  applied  to  all  the  troops  engaged. 

Night  at  length  threw  her  sable  mantle  over  the 
bloody  field,  covering  in  her  sombre  folds  the  stiffened 
corpses  and  mangled  forms  of  not  less  than  fifteen 
thousand  dead  and  wounded,  including  the  casualties 
of  both  armies. 

Not  one  of  all  our  dead  fell  more  lamented  than 
Major-General  George  D.  Bayard,  who  was  struck  by 
a  shrieking  shell,  dying  early  in  the  evening.  He 
was  only  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  of  prepossessing 
appearance  and  manners,  with  as  brave  a  heart  as 
ever  bled  for  a  weeping  country,  and  a  capacity  of 


112       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

mind  for  military  usefulness  equal  to  any  man  in  the 
service.  Gradually  lie  had  arisen  from  one  position 
of  honor  and  responsibility  to  another,  proving  him- 
self tried  and  true  in  each  promotion,  Avhile  his  cavalry 
comrades  especially  were  watching  the  developments 
of  his  growing  power,  with  nnabating  enthusiasm. 
But  death  loves  a  shining  mark,"  and  our  hero,  with 
his  own  blood,  baptized  the  day  which  had  been  ap- 
pointed for  his  nnptials.  The  recital  of  his  early  death 
brought  tears  to  many  eyes,  and  caused  many  a  lov- 
ing heart  to  bleed. 

Death  lies  on  liitn  like  an  untimely  frost — 
Upon  the  sweetest  flower  of  all  the  field." 

The  night  following  this  bloody  conflict  was  horri- 
ble in  the  extreme.  Every  available  spot  or  building 
in  the  city  was  sought  for  a  hospital,  to  which  the 
wonnded  were  brought  on  stretchers  by  their  com- 
panions. JSTow  and  then  there  came  a  poor  fellow 
who  was  able  to  walk,  supporting  with  one  hand  its 
bloody,  mangled  mate.  At  times  two  men  might  be 
seen  approaching  through  the  darkness,  supporting 
between  them  their  less  fortunate  comrade,  whose 
bloody  garments  told  that  he  had  faced  the  foe.  But 
many  of  our  hospitals  proved  to  be  very  unsafe  refuges, 
into  which  Minie  balls  and  broken  shells  would  come 
rattling,  and  in  some  instances  destroying  the  precious 
lives  that  had  escaped — though  not  without  suffering 
— the  terrible  and  deadly  shock  of  battle.  Many  of 
the  wounded  were  taken  across  the  river,  and  made 
perfectly  safe  and  as  comfortable  as  circumstances 
would  permit.    The  Sanitary  and  Christian  Commis- 


Thr^e  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  113 

sions  rendered  very  effective  service,  enshrining  them- 
selves in  the  memory  of  a  grateful  people.  Their 
deeds  of  charity  and  mercy  can  never  be  forgotten. 
By  their  timely  supplies  and  personal  labors  many 
lives  were  saved,  and  thousands  of  the  wounded  were 
comforted. 

JDecemler  14. — The  light  of  this  holy  Sabbath  was 
hailed  with  gladness  by  many  a  poor  soldier,  who  had 
suffered  from  the  chill  of  the  night  alone  upon  the 
bloody  field.  The  weather,  however,  is  unusually 
clement  for  this  season  of  the  year.  A  little  firing 
occurred  this  morning,  but  no  general  engagement 
resulted.  This  was  greatly  feared,  for  had  General 
Lee  advanced  upon  us,  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  our 
men,  though  somewhat  covered  by  the  fire  of  our 
batteries  from  Falmouth  Heights,  could  have  recrossed 
the  stream  without  fearful  loss.  But  both  armies 
spent  most  of  the  holy  day  in  the  sacred  task  of  car- 
ing for  the  wounded  and  burying  their  dead.  Monday 
was  also  spent  mostly  in  the  same  employment,  and 
in  the  niglit,  so  skilfully  as  to  be  unknown  even  to  the 
Rebel  pickets,  our  whole  army  was  withdrawn  to  the 
north  side  of  the  river  in  perfect  order  and  without 
loss.    Our  pontoons  were  then  taken  up. 

General  Burnside  was  not  willing  to  remain  totally 
idle,  and,  after  some  time  had  elapsed,  he  planned 
another  grand  movement,  which,  with  more  or  less 
opposition  from  his  subordinates,  who  did  not  confide 
in  his  judgment,  he  endeavored  to  execute.  But  he 
had  just  taken  the  first  step  in  the  programme  when 
he  was  signaled  to  desist  by  a  telegram  from  the 
President,  who  had  been  informed  that  the  temper  of 
5* 


114       Three  Year  a  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

the  army  was  not  favorable  to  a  general  move  under 
its  present  commander. 

Witli  tlie  battle  of  Fredericksburg  terminated  the 
campaign  of  1862,  and  the  two  great  armies  estab- 
lished their  winter  quarters  facing  each  other  along 
the  line  of  the  Rappahannock.  Our  camps  extend 
for  several  miles  along  the  northern  shore  above  and 
below  Falmouth,  and  the  enemy  occupy  the  south 
bank  above  and  below  the  Heights  of  Fredericksburg. 
Indeed,  nearly  the  whole  territory  between  the  Rap- 
pahannock and  the  Defences  of  Washington,  a  dark, 
forsaken,  wilderness  region,  with  only  here  and  there 
a  plantation  or  a  village,  was  soon  converted  into  a 
vast  camping  ground,  and  became  the  most  populous 
section  of  Virginia. 

To  avoid  the  distant  transportation  of  forage,  the 
greater  portion  of  the  cavalry  is  encamped  near  Belle 
Plain,  where  government  transports  land  with  sup- 
plies from  Washington.  The  Harris  Light  has  estab- 
lished its  camp  on  the  Belle  Plain  and  Falmouth 
Turnpike,  about  four  miles  from  the  former  place,  and 
has  named  it  '^Bayard,"  in  honor  of  our  lamented 
commander,  whose  fall  at  Fredericksburg  is  still  a 
subject  of  universal  sorrow. 

It  is  wonderful  to  witness  how  the  forests  are  dis- 
appearing in  and  around  our  camps.  From  morning 
till  night  the  chopmen's  axes  resound  from  camp  to 
camp,  echoing  dolefully  along  the  river-shore  and  far 
back  into  the  dense,  dark  woods.  Soon  after  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  as  we  had  no  quarters,  and 
nothing  but  worn  and  torn  shelter-tents,  our  only  way 
to  prevent  freezing  at  night  was  to  cut  and  heap  to- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  115 

gether  a  large  number  of  logs,  which,  though  green, 
when  fully  ignited  made  a  rousing  fire.  These  fires, 
numerously  built  in  rows  throughout  the  streets  of 
our  camps,  presented,  especially  at  night,  a  most 
beautiful  and  lively  scene.  The  few  trees  which  still 
remained  as  shelters  were  generally  lighted  up  by  our 
tires  into  grand  chandeliers,  l^eflecting  upon  our  white 
tents  a  weird  light  of  gold  and  green,  which  might 
have  furnished  the  pen  of  the  romancer,  and  the  pencil 
of  the  artist,  their  most  interesting  plots  and  designs. 

Around  these  fires  gathered  the  comrades  of  many 
a  march  and  battle,  to  discuss  the  experiences  of  the 
past,  to  applaud  or  censure  certain  men  and  measures, 
and  to  lay  plans,  and  to  entertain  rumors  with  regard 
to  future  operations.  The  gallantry  and  merits  of 
companions  fallen  in  strife  were  presented  by  those 
most  intimate  with  them;  and  otherwise  dreary  hours 
were  pleasantly  whiled  away  with  narratives  of  per- 
sonal encounters,  of  terrible  sufferings  of  prisoners 
while  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  of  hair-breadth 
escapes.  These  accounts  were  generally  enlivened  with 
extra  coloring  drawn  from  the  enchanting  and  fairy- 
like scenes  which  surrounded  the  speaker,  and  an 
entire  group  was  thrilled  and  electrified  until  fre- 
quently the  night  was  made  to  ring  with  uproarious 
applause.  Occasionally  the  friends  and  home  scenes 
we  have  left  behind  us  became  the  subjects  of  con- 
versation, and  it  is  astonishing  how  that  word  "  home," 
with  its  hallowed  associations,  touches  the  tender 
feelings  of  our  hearts.  These  colloquies  often  ended 
with  the  good  old  hymn,  "  Home,  sweet  home,"  and 
with  the  sound  of  the  last  bugle-call  we  hastened  to 


116       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

our  rest,  to  spend,  it  may  be,  a  miserable  night  of  cold 
and  storm. 

ls"o  soldier  can  ever  forget  tbese  camp  and  bivouac 
scenes,  for  they  are  deeply  photographed  upon  his 
memory.  He  will  often  recall  their  ludicrous  as  well 
as  romantic  side,  when  the  mud  w^as  knee-deep  and 
over,  up  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  fire,  compelling 
him  often  to  stand  so  near  the  burning  pile  as  to  set 
his  clothes  on  fire.  In  very  cold  weather  he  would 
freeze  one  side  while  the  other  burned,  unless  he  fre- 
quently performed  that  military  feat,  changing  his 
base  of  operations."  If  the  wind  blew,  making  his 
fantastic  gyrations  among  the  tents,  so  that  you  never 
knew  whence  he  would  come  nor  whither  he  would 
go,  you  were  sure  to  get  your  face  smoked  horribly. 

With  thousands  of  camps  thus  circumstanced,  it 
may  be  conjectured  that  no  little  amount  of  fuel 
would  suffice  us.  At  first  the  trees  were  cut  down 
without  much  regard  to  the  height  of  the  stumps,  but 
as  the  forest  receded  from  the  camps,  making  trans- 
portation difficult,  the  stumps  were  dug  up  by  the 
roots,  leaving  the  ground  perfectly  smooth,  and  made 
ready  for  the  ploughman,  whenever  our  swords  are 
beaten  into  ploughshares  and  our  battle  spears  into 
pruning  hooks.  And  besides  the  consumption  of 
wood  for  fires,  no  little  amount  is  used  for  the  con- 
struction of  our  houses  or  huts.  Nearly  every  man 
has  suddenly  become  a  mason  or  a  carpenter,  and  the 
hammer,  the  axe,  and  the  trowel  are  being  plied  with 
the  utmost  vigor,  if  not  with  the  highest  skill.  Many 
of  us,  however,  are  astonished  at  the  ingenuity  that 
is  displayed  in  this  department.    Large  logs,  notched 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  117 

at  the  ends  so  as  to  dovetail  together,  and  sometimes 
hewn  on  the  inside,  compose  the  body  of  the  hut. 
By  the  careful  application  of  mud — that  Yirginia 
mortar  or  plaster  with  which  every  soldier  is  so  fa- 
miliar— to  the  crevices  between  the  logs,  a  very  com- 
fortable structure  is  made  ready  for  its  covering  and 
occupancy.  Shelter-tents,  buttoned  or  sewed  together, 
form  the  roof,  which,  by  the  aid  of  talmas  or  ponchoes, 
is  generally  made  water-proof. 

Three  or  four  men  usually  unite  in  the  construc- 
tion of  a  hut,  and  share  one  another's  skill  and  stores. 
If  they  can  afford  it,  they  purchase  of  the  sutlers 
small  sheet-iron  stoves,  which  will  keep  them  very 
comfortably  warm,  and  afford  them  an  opportunity 
to  do  their  own  cooking  on  extra  occasions,  such  as 
come  with  the  issues  of  supplies  from  the  Christian 
or  Sanitary  Commissions,  or  the  reception  of  boxes 
from  friends  at  home.  The  ordinary  cooking  of  a 
company  is  done  by  men  detailed  for  that  purpose. 
Often  good  fire-places  and  chimneys  are  erected  in 
the  tents.  These  are  sometimes  made  of  sticks  of 
wood  laid  in  thick  mud,  or  of  stones  or  bricks  taken 
from  the  foundations  and  remains  of  buildings  that 
have  been  destroyed  in  the  neighborhood  of  our 
camps.  Every  means  is  resorted  to  which  Yankee 
ingenuity  can  devise  to  make  our  soldier-homes  as 
comfortable  and  convenient  as  possible.  Punch  says, 
that  a  Yankee  baby  will  creep  out  of  his  cradle, 
take  a  survey  of  it,  invent  an  improved  style  and  ap- 
ply for  a  patent,  before  he  is  six  months  old,"  and 
this  he  said  some  time  ago  ;  what  he  would  say  now, 
w^c  cannot  tell.    If  a  house  has  been  abandoned  by 


118       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

its  inmates  anywhere  within  our  lines,  it  is  taken  as 
"prima facie  evidence  that  the  owners  must  be  Rebels 
— and  it  matters  but  little  whether  they  are  or  not  so 
long  as  the  house  stands  alone ;  and  in  nearly  as 
short  a  period  of  time  as  it  takes  to  tell  the  story,  the 
building  is  torn  in  pieces,  and  the  materials  are  used 
in  the  construction  of  our  huts  and  the  stables  of  our 
horses. 

The  dying  year  left  us  engaged  in  these  labors. 

January  1,  1863. — The  Harris  Light  was  ordered 
to  the  Eappahannock,  where  we  were  posted  on  pick- 
et near  Port  Conway. 

The  Federal  and  Rebel  pickets  have  mutually 
arranged  that  there  shall  be  no  firing  on  either  side, 
unless  an  advance  is  undertaken.  This  agreement  is 
of  course  among  ourselves,  neither  approved  nor  disap- 
proved at  headquarters.  For  several  days  the  most 
perfect  harmony  has  prevailed  between  the  blue  and 
the  gray.  Yankees  and  Johnnies  wash  together  in 
the  same  stream,  procure  water  to  drink  and  for 
culinary  purposes  from  the  same  spring,  and,  curi- 
ous to  relate,  often  read  the.  news  from  the  same  pa- 
pers. Squads  of  soldiers  from  both  armies  may  be 
observed  seated  together  on  either  side  of  the  Rap- 
pahannock, earnestly  discussing  the  great  questions 
of  the  day,  each  obstinately  maintaining  his  views  of 
the  matters  at  issue. 

On  one  occasion  a  soldier  from  our  ranks  took 
from  his  pocket  a  copy  of  the  New  York  Herald^ 
and  read  the  Union  account  of  one  of  the  great  bat- 
tles to  an  attentive  crowd  of  Rebel  soldiers.  When 
he  had  concluded,  up  sprang  one  of  the  chivalrv,  who 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  121 

brouglit  to  view  a  dingy  copy  of  the  Richmond 
Examiner^  and  proceeded  to  read  his  side  of  the 
story.  No  one  was  offended,  and  all  relished  the 
comparison  of  views,  an4  then  began  to  discuss  the 
merits  of  the  two  accounts. 

During  all  these  interviews  trading  was  the  order 
of  the  day,  and  a  heavy  business  was  carried  on  in 
the  tobacco,  coffee,  and  hardtack  line.  There  was  also 
a  special  demand  on  the  part  of  the  Rebels  for  pocket- 
knives  and  canteens,  these  articles  evidently  being 
very  scarce  in  Dixie. 

January  12. — ^The  weather  has  been  very  uneven 
since  the  year  began.  Wind,  rain,  sleet,  and  snow, 
singly  and  combined,  have  been  our  portion,  and  as  a 
natural  consequence,  oceans  of  mud  have  thus  far 
given  Camp  Bayard  a  most  unwelcome  appearance. 
Our  only  remedy  is  to  corduroy  our  streets,  which 
we  do  by  bridging  them  with  the  straightest  timber 
we  can  find.  Usually  this  is  pine,  with  which  thou- 
sands of  acres  of  Virginia  are  covered.  As  it  is 
mostly  of  a  recent  growth,  averaging  about  six  inches 
in  diameter,  and  shooting  up  to  an  immense  height 
before  you  can  reach  the  branches,  it  is  well  suited 
to  our  purpose. 

Eough  as  these  corduroyed  streets  are,  they  are 
very  passable,  and  prevent  us  from  sinking  with  our 
horses  into  a  bottomless  limbo.  On  the  fourteenth 
of  the  month  our  picket  details  returned  to  camp, 
after  being  several  days  on  duty.  The  weather  is 
becoming  delightful.  The  sun  is  often  so  brilliant 
and  warm  that  we  are  compelled  to  seek  shelter  in 
our  tents  or  in  the  fragrant  shades  of  the  woods.  We 


122       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

are  reminded  of  pleasant  April  weather  in  ISTorthern 
New  York.  Under  this  regime  of  old  Sol,  tlie  roads 
are  rapidly  improving,  and  should  no  adverse  change 
occur,  we  may  look  for  some  important  army  move- 
ment. 

January  21. — To-day  we  received  two  months' 
pay,  and,  as  is  usually  the  case  on  pay-day,  the  boys 
are  in  excellent  spirits.  Whatever  trouble  or  diffi- 
culty tlie  soldier  may  have,  pay-day  is  a  wonderful 
panacea,  at  least  if  his  pay-roll  and  accounts  are  all 
satisfactory  and  right.  But  the  men  do  not  all  make 
the  same  use  of  their  money.  Many  on  receiving 
the  "  greenbacks "  hasten  to  Adams'  Express  or 
despatch  an  agent,  and  send  home  all  the  money  we 
can  spare.  Some  repair  at  once  to  their  tents  and 
enter  upon  gambling  schemes  with  cards  generally, 
or  other  games  ;  and  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  hear 
that  some  one  has  lost  all  he  had,  and  has  gone  so  far 
even  as  to  borrow  more,  in  less  than  twelve  hours  of 
the  time  he  w^as  paid.  A  small  portion  of  the  men 
visit  the  sutlers,  those  army  vampires,  whose  quarters 
are  converted  into  scenes  of  dissipation,  drunkenness, 
and  folly.  Men  whose  families  at  home  are  waiting 
for  means  to  live,  thus  waste  all  their  wages,  disgrace 
themselves,  and  cast  their  dependents  upon  the  chari- 
ties of  the  cold  world. 

January  22. — For  about  two  days  the  army  has 
been  prepared  for  an  advance  across  the  Rappa- 
hannock. To-day  the  grand  movement  was  com- 
menced. Several  regiments,  supposing  that  they 
never  again  would  need  their  winter  huts,  have 
burned  or  otherwise  demolished   them.    But  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  123 

weatlier,  which  was  fine  at  the  outset,  has  suddenly 
changed,  and  about  ten  o'clock  at  night  there  poured 
upon  us,  untented  and  unprotected,  a  furious  storm 
of  rain,  sleet,  and  snow,  making  our  condition  ahnost 
unendurable.  We  are  now  left  in  a  bed  of  almost 
fathomless  mire.  None  of  the  men  who  flounder 
through  these  oozy  roads,  under  the  inclement  sky, 
will  ever  forget  the  Muddy  March."  We  had 
scarcely  reached  the  river-shore  before  we  were  com- 
pelled to  return.  In  one  instance  a  piece  of  artillery 
with  its  horses  had  to  be  abandoned,  submerged  so 
deeply  in  the  mud  that  it  was  considered  impractica- 
ble to  extricate  them.  Men  are  frequently  compelled 
to  assist  one  another,  unable  to  proceed  alone.  The 
ground  is  covered  with  snow,  and  yet  the  mud  is  so 
deep  that  it  is  almost  an  impossibility  to  move  artil- 
lery or  supplies.  All  our  forage  and  rations  are 
brought  from  Belle  Plain  on  horses  and  pack-mules, 
all  wheeled  vehicles  being  entirely  shipwrecked. 

The  Eebels  appear  to  understand  what  had  been 
our  designs,  and  know  fully  the  cause  of  our  failure 
in  the  expedition.  Consequently,  to  tantalize  us,  they 
have  erected  an  enormous  sign-board  on  their  side  of 
the  river,  but  in  full  view  of  our  pickets,  bearing  the 
inscription  :     Stuck  in  the  mud  !  " 

General  Burnside,  beset  on  every  hand  with  mis- 
fortunes and  disasters,  tendered  his  resignation,  but 
was  simply  relieved,  as  at  his  own  request,  from  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 


124       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


CHAPTER  YIII. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  A  CAVALRY  CORPS. 

1863. — General  Hooker  assumes  Command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
—  Demoralization. — Reorganization.  —  A  Cavalry  Corps. — General 
George  D.  Stoneman  in  Command. — Death  of  Sergeant  May. — Forests 
of  the  Old  Dominion. — The  Cavalryman  and  his  Faithful  Horse. — 
Scenes  in  Winter  Quarters. — Kilpatrick. — His  Character. — Qualifica- 
tions of  the  True  Soldier. — A  New  Horse. — A  Mulish  Mule. — Kil- 
patrick's  Colored  Servants  in  Trouble. — Terrific  Hail-Storm. — Major 
E.  F.  Cooke  Honored. — Colonel  Clarence  Buel. 

ON  tlie  twenty-sixth  of  January,  General  Joseph 
Hooker  assumed  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  whose  vicissitudes  and  defeats  have  well- 
nigh  broken  its  spirit  and  wiped  out  its  efficiency. 
The  patriotic  fire  is  burning  dimly  in  shrines  where 
it  has  blazed  brightly  before.  The  tide  of  military 
life  has  possibly  reached  its  lowest  ebb,  and  the  signs 
of  the  times  are  ominous  of  ill.  Desertions  are  re- 
ported to  be  fearfully  large.  For  this  many  of  our 
friends  at  the  North  are  responsible.  Not  only  do 
their  letters  speak  discouraging  words  to  the  soldier, 
but  many  of  them  sent  by  express  citizens'  clothes, 
with  which  many  of  the  boys  quickly  invest  them- 
selves, throwing  away  the  blue,  and  thus  disguised 
find  their  way  to  their  false  friends  at  home.  I 
esteem  him  false  to  me  who  would  thus  rob  me  of  my 
honor.    I  would  rather  say,  "  despoil  me  of  my  life. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  125 

but  my  integrity  never."  Discouraging  as  all  this 
depression  of  mind  and  dispersion  of  comrades  may 
be,  many  still  remain  steadfast  at  their  trust  and  un- 
flinchingly go  ahead  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty. 

General  Hooker's  first  work  seems  to  be  in  the 
direction  of  checking  this  loosening  of  discipline, 
and  in  reorganizing  and  strengthening  the  bands  of 
military  order.  As  the  infantry  needed  but  little 
further  solidification,  the  commander-in-chief  turned 
his  attention  to  the  cavalry.  In  the  possible  effi- 
ciency of  this  arm  of  the  service  the  general  seems  to 
have  full  faith.  But  it  is  currently  reported  that  the 
general  has  said  that  he  has  yet  failed  to  see  or  hear 
of  a  dead  cavalryman."  Of  course  this  cannot  be 
strictly  true,  for  we  could  cite  him  multitudes,  in- 
cluding our  noble  Bayard,  whose  bravery  and  sacri- 
fice of  themselves  upon  their  country's  altar,  are 
worthy  of  recognition  at  the  hand  of  their  com- 
mander. But  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  cavalry  has 
not  yet  come  up  to  the  beau-ideal  of  the  general. 
And,  indeed,  it  has  been  a  source  of  wonderment  to 
us,  that  while  the  efficiency  of  the  infantry  is  known 
to  depend  largely  upon  its  organization  into  brigades, 
divisions,  and  corps,  with  their  general  commander, 
the  same  may  not  be  true  of  the  cavalry. 

General  Bayard,  the  great  cavalry  chief  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  during  General  Burnside's  ad- 
ministration, made  several  efforts  at  consolidation, 
resulting,  however,  in  no  very  permanent  changes. 
It  was  reserved  for  General  Hooker  to  bring  about 
the  desired  result ;  and,  at  last,  the  Cavalry  Corps  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  is  organized,  with  General 


126       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Camlry. 

George  D.  Stoneman  for  its  commanding  officer.  By 
this  change  regiments  which  have  been  scattered  here 
and  there  on  detached  service  are  brought  together, 
and  made  to  feel  the  enthusiasm  which  numbers  gen- 
erally inspire,  especially  when  those  numbers  are 
united  into  a  system,  with  a  living  head,  whose  in- 
telligence and  authority  control  the  whole. 

Under  this  new  regime  some  very  beneficial 
changes  have  been  wrought.  Schools  or  camps  of 
instruction  have  been  established,  with  a  more  rigid 
discipline  than  before,  and  boards  of  examination, 
with  all  the  experience  of  the  past  before  their  eyes, 
have  been  organized.  Old  and  incompetent  officers 
have  been  dismissed,  or  have  slunk  away  before  this 
incisive  catechism,  giving  way  generally  to  intelligent, 
young,  and  efficient  men,  who,  placed  at  the  heads  of 
regiments  and  brigades,  give  promise  of  success  in  tlie 
struggles  that  await  us. 

The  Kebel  cavalry  under  Stuart  has  long  been  or- 
ganized into  an  efficient  body,  which,  at  times,  has 
sneered  at  our  attempts  to  match  them ;  and  yet  they 
have  been  made  to  feel,  on  some  occasions,  that  we 
are  a  growing  power,  which  time  and  experience  may 
develop  into  something  formidable.  But  the  general 
successes  of  the  Rebel  army  have  made  them  all  very 
insolent,  in  the  hope  that  final  victory  is  already  in 
their  grasp. 

February  11.— My  old  friend  and  comrade,  Ser- 
geant Theodore  May,  of  Pittstown,  New  York,  died 
this  afternoon  at  two  o'clock,  after  a  brief  illness,  of 
typhoid  fever,  which  is  a  great  scourge  throughout 
the  army.    The  death  of  this  valiant  fellow-soldier 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  127 

casts  a  deep  gloom  over  the  entire  command,  in  wliicli 
he  has  so  faithfully  served.  When  we  entered  the 
army  together  at  the  organization  of  the  regiment,  lie 
came  a  perfect  stranger,  but  his  gentle  manners  and 
soldierly  deportment  soon  made  for  him  hosts  of  warm 
friends.  By  his  gallantry  on  the  field  of  battle,  as 
well  as  by  the  gentleness  of  his  manners  and  his  un- 
blemished conduct  in  camp,  he  has  won  the  respect, 
and  even  admiration,  of  all  who  knew  him. 

The  patriotic  motives  which  induced  Sergeant 
May  to  quit  his  pleasant  home  in  the  beautiful  valley 
of  the  Tomhannock,  for  the  privations,  hardships,  and 
dangers  of  military  life,  have  always  proved  him  to 
be  a  true  and  warm  sympathizer  in  his  country's 
cause.  It  was  evidently  not  the  mere  love  of  adven- 
ture, or  the  mere  pageantry  or  glory  of  war,  that  led 
him  to  make  the  great  sacrifice.  He  has  been  with 
us  in  every  conflict,  and  shared  with  us  the  varied 
fortunes  of  the  Harris  Light.  His  death,  which  he 
would  rather  have  met  on  the  field  of  strife,  battling 
manfully  against  traitors,  was  reserved  for  the  calm 
and  quiet  of  the  camp,  where  he  spent  his  last  mo- 
ments urging  his  comrades  to  "  cheer  up  and  fight 
on,"  ofi'ering  as  his  dying  reason,  that  "  our  cause  is 
just,  and  must  triumph."  Such  a  death  is  a  rich  leg- 
acy to  a  command.  "  He  being  dead,  yet  speaketh." 
"We  woald  emulate  his  virtues. 

February  12. — On  recommendation  of  Lieutenant 
Frederick  C.  Lord,  I  was  to-day  appointed  by  Colonel 
Kilpatrick  First  Sergeant  of  Company  E,  vice  Henry 
Temple,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Major.  My  appoint- 
ment is  to  date  from  the  first  of  January,  making  me 


128       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

a  very  desirable  New  Year's  gift,  wliicli  I  shall  strive 
to  honor. 

February  22. — Snow  has  been  falling  uninterrupt- 
edly the  livelong  day,  and  yet  the  boys  have  been 
unusually  merry,  as  they  were  wont  to  be  on  this  an- 
niversary before  the  war.  Our  celebration  has  been 
on  a  scanty  scale,  and  yet  we  have  felt  the  patriotic 
stimulus  which  comes  from  the  great  men  and  days 
of  the  past.  And  truly,  the  birth  of  the  great  Wash- 
ington gives  birth  to  many  interesting  thoughts,  es- 
pecially at  this  period  of  our  history.  A  national 
salute  has  been  fired  from  our  fortifications  on  the 
Potomac,  and  the  whole  country  round  about  us  has 
been  made  to  reverberate  with  the  sound  that  wel- 
comes in  the  day. 

But  all  these  patriotic  manifestations  have  not 
prevented  the  snow-storm  and  the  cold.  When  we 
left  our  home  in  the  N^orth  for  what  was  termed  the 
sunny  South,"  we  little  expected  to  find  such  storms 
as  this  here.  While  the  summers  are  much  cooler 
than  we  expected  to  find  them,  the  days  being  gen- 
erally fanned  by  a  beautiful  sea-breeze,  the  winters 
exceed  for  cold  our  highest  expectation.  The  cold  is 
not  continuous,  but  very  severe.  We  have  seen  the 
soft  ground  and  water-puddles  freeze  sufficiently  in 
one  night  to  bear  a  horse ;  and  in  several  days  and 
nights  the  frost  has  penetrated  the  earth  several  inches 
deep.  The  snow-storm  of  to-day  is  as  severe  as  most 
storms  experienced  in  the  North.  The  wind  has 
howled  from  the  north-west,  burdened  with  its  cold, 
feathery  flakes,  which  to-night  lie  at  least  twelve 
inches  deep  in  places  undisturbed.    It  is  such  a  storm 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CoA^alry.  129 

as  our  suffering  pickets,  and  indeed  our  entire  army, 
cannot  soon  forget. 

It  may  be  that  the  vast  forests  of  Virginia  have 
much  to  do  with  its  peculiar  temperature.  As  we 
travel  from  place  to  place  we  are  strongly  impressed 
with  the  vastness  of  the  wilderness,  which  covers  thou- 
sands of  acres  of  as  fine  arable  soil  as  can  be  found  on 
the  continent.  How  different  is  this  from  the  notions 
we  had  formed  of  the  Old  Dominion,  while  reading 
of  its  early  settlements,  and  of  its  great  agricultural 
advantages.  But  when  we  look  into  its  system  of 
land-owning,  and  find  that  one  individual  monopo- 
lizes a  territory  sufficient  for  a  dozen  farms,  and  con- 
sequently neglects  eleven  twelfths  of  his  acres ;  and 
then  look  into  its  even  worse  system  of  labor,  we  need 
search  no  farther  for  the  causes  of  this  backwardness 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  The  implements  made  use 
of  here  on  the  plantations  are  such  as  were  rejected 
by  New  England  farmers  over  half  a  century  ago ; 
and  the  methods  of  cultivation  are  a  century  behind 
the  times.  Slavery  and  land-monopoly  are  the  incu- 
bus. 

Who  does  not  sincerely  hope  that  the  time  is  not 
far  distant,  when  the  rich  acres  of  this  great  State 
shall  be  properly  shared  by  its  inhabitants,  and 
when,  freed  from  a  burden  and  curse  which  have 
long  paralyzed  their  energies,  instinct  with  new  life 
and  enterprise,  the  people  will  realize  the  dignity  of 
labor?  Then  will  the  almost  interminable  forests 
disappear,  and  in  their  stead  the  industrious  yeoman 
will  behold  his  rich  fields  of  waving  grain.  Then, 
too,  along  the  now  comparatively  useless  streams  and 


130       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

swift  water- courses,  will  spring  up  the  factorj^  and 
the  mill,  whose  rolling  Avheels  and  buzzing  spindles 
w^ill  bring  wealth  and  prosperity  to  the  nation.  We 
are  convinced,  from  what  we  have  seen,  that  Yir- 
ginia  has  water-power  enough  to  turn  the  machinery 
of  the  world.  With  these  changes  the  school-house 
will  be  found  by  the  side  of  every  church,  and  intel- 
ligence and  virtue  will  bless  the  home  of  the  Pres- 
idents. 

We  have  also  many  times  been  led  to  think, 
while  lying  in  these  chilly  woods,  that  a  greater 
warmth  would  be  imparted  to  the  atmosphere  if  the 
forest-trees  were  felled  and  the  land  pnt  under  culti- 
vation,—a  change  sufficiently  great  to  be  appreciable 
throughout  the  State. 

*'UNCHRONICLED  HEROES.'' 

Sunday^  March  1.— The  usual  Sunday  morning  in- 
spection was  omitted  on  account  of  rain.  Rain,  rain 
had  fallen  for  many  days  almost  incessantly.  The  regi- 
ment has  been  earnestly  at  work  throughout  the  day 
in  building  stables  for  the  horses,  which  have  suffered 
greatly  from  being  kept  standing  too  long  in  the  mud. 
Under  these  circumstances  our  horses  are  afflicted 
with  the  scratches,  many  of  them  so  badly  as  to 
render  them  unserviceable,  and  occasionally  they  lose 
their  lives. 

By  this  cause  and  through  hard  work  my  little 
black  mare,  which  I  drew  by  lot  at  Camp  Sussex  in 
the  autumn  of  1861,  has  at  last  succumbed,  and,  with 
a  grief  akin  to  that  which  is  felt  at  the  loss  of  a  dear 
human  friend,  I  have  performed  the  last  rite  of  honor 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  131 

to  the  dead.  The  Indian  may  love  his  faithful  dog, 
but  his  attachments  cannot  surpass  the  cavalryman's 
for  his  horse.  They  have  learned  to  love  one  another 
in  the  most  trying  vicissitudes  of  life,  and  the  animal 
manifests  affection  and  confidence  quite  as  evidently 
as  a  human  being  could. 

The  cavalier,  it  is  true,  is  often  compelled  to  drive 
at  a  most  fearful  rate,  as  when  bearing  hurried  des- 
patches, or  making  a  charge,  frequently  causing  al- 
most immediate  blindness  to  the  animal.  Or,  may 
be,  he  continues  on  a  march  for  many  days  and  nights 
in  succession,  as  on  a  raid,  averaging  at  least  sixty- 
five  miles  in  twenty-four  hours,  with  little  water  and 
less  forage ;  unable  to  remove  the  saddle,  w^hich  has 
to  be  tightly  bound,  until  the  animal  is  so  badly  galled 
that  the  hair  comes  ofl'  with  the  blanket  at  its  first 
removal. 

Sufferings  like  these  often  cause  the  death  of  a 
large  proportion  of  a  command ;  and  to  a  careless 
looker-on  these  things  would  appear  to  be  mere  neg- 
lects. But  these  cruel  military  necessities  only  de- 
velop more  perfectly  the  rider's  sympathy  for  his 
suffering  beast,  and  bind  them  in  closer  and  more  en- 
dearing bonds. 

Some  men  had  rather  injure  themselves  than 
have  their  horses  harmed,  and  the  utmost  pains  are 
taken  to  heal  them  in  case  they  are  wounded.  Each 
regiment  has  its  yeterinary  surgeon,  w^hose  skill  is 
taxed  to  the  utmost  in  his  branch  of  the  healing  art. 

Among  the  most  touching  scenes  we  have  wit- 
nessed, are  those  in  which  the  mortally  wounded 
horse  has  to  be  abandoned  on  the  field  of  carnage. 
6 


132       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

With  tearful  eyes  the  rider  and  perhaps  owner  turns 
to  take  a  last  look  of  the  "  unchronicled  hero,"  his 
fellow- sufferer,  that  now  lies  weltering  in  his  blood, 
and  yet  makes  every  possible  effort  to  follow  the 
advancing  column.    The  parting  is  deeply  affecting. 

Often  the  cavalryman  finds  no  object  to  which  he 
may  hitch  his  horse  for  the  night  save  his  own  hand ; 
and  thus  with  the  halter  fast  bound  to  his  grasp  he 
lies  down  with  a  stone,  or  perhaps  his  saddle,  for  a 
pillow,  his  faithful  horse  standing  as  a  watchful 
guardian  by  his  side.  At  times  the  animal  will  walk 
around  him,  eating  the  grass  as  far  as  he  can  reach, 
and  frequently  arousing  liim  by  trying  to  gain  the 
grass  on  which  he  lies ;  yet  it  is  worthy  of  note,  that 
an  instance  can  scarcely  be  found  where  the  horse 
has  been  known  to  step  upon  or  in  anywise  injure 
his  sleeping  lord.  Such  a  scene  the  poet  undoubtedly 
had  in  his  mind  when  he  sang : 

"  The  miTrmuring  wind,  the  moving  leaves 
Lull'd  him  at  length  to  sleep, 
W^ith  mingled  lullabies  of  sight  and  sound." 

Such  experiences  as  these  had  taught  me  to  love 
my  faithful  and  true  friend.  But  I  found  1  was  not 
the  only  man  in  the  command  who  w^as  bereaved 
of  his  fi7'st  love.  Only  a  few  horses  of  the  original 
number  which  we  drew  still  remain,  and  several  of 
them  are  either  partially  or  totally  blind,  though  yet 
serviceable.  The  hardships  of  the  camp  and  the 
campaign  are  more  destructive  of  animal  than  human 
flesh.  Men  are  often  skeltered  from  the  storm  when 
the  horses  are  exposed,  and  the  men  are  sometimes 
fed  when  the  horses  have  to  go  hungry. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  133 

In  battle  tlie  horse  is  a  larger  mark  than  the 
man,  and  hence  is  more  frequently  hit,  so  that  more 
than  twice  the  number  of  horses  fall  in  every  engage- 
ment than  men.  The  cavalryman  is  more  shielded 
from  the  deadly  missile  than  the  infantryman.  The 
horse's  head  and  shoulders  vs^ill  often  receive  the  bul- 
let which  was  intended  for  the  rider's  body.  This  is 
true  also  of  the  elevated  portions  of  the  saddle,  with 
the  rolls  of  blankets  and  coats  and  bag  of  forage. 
A  difference  has  also  been  noticed  between  the  casu- 
alties in  cavalry  and  infantry  regiments  under  equal 
exposure.  This  difference  is  wholly  explained  when 
we  consider  the  jolting  and  sv/ift  motion  of  the  man 
as  his  horse  leaps  forward  in  the  fray,  making  him  a 
very  uncertain  mark  for  the  enemy. 

BRIGHT  DAYS. 

March  3. — This  is  the  first  bright  day  we  have 
seen  in  more  than  three  weeks.  The  mud  around 
our  camps,  especially  in  the  neighborhood  where  we 
water  our  horses,  is  terrible,  and  the  roads  are  almost 
bottomless.  However,  long  trains  of  forage  and 
commissary-wagons  may  be  seen  passing  to  and  fro, 
with  horses  and  mules  in  mud  from  stem  to  stern." 
Cavalcades  of  mudded  horses  and  riders  traverse  the 
camps  and  adjoining  fields  in  various  directions. 

Large  flocks  of  crows — the  most  soldier-like  bird 
in  the  world — with  their  high-perched  vedettes  when 
alighted,  and  their  military  line  of  march  when  on 
the  wing,  afford  some  lessons  of  diversion  and  in- 
struction. It  would  seem  as  if  all  the  ravens  of  the 
United  States  had  congregated  here,  having  been  at- 


134       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

tracted  by  the  carrion  of  battle-fields  and  the  refuse 
of  camps.  Turkey  buzzards,  birds  which  are  always 
on  the  wing,  and  that  none  of  us  ever  yet  saw  alighted, 
w^heel  through  the  air  like  eagles,  gazing  down  upon 
us  with  seeming  defiance.  The  sights  are  of  daily 
occurrence. 

KILPATRICK. 

To-day  several  details  were  made  from  the  regi- 
ment for  brigade  headquarters,  where  Kilpatrick,  the 
senior  colonel  in  the  brigade,  now  commands.  In 
the  afternoon  w^e  raised  the  stars  and  stripes "  in 
front  of  his  tent,  after  which  three  cheers  were  given 
for  the  flag  and  three  for  the  Union.  Kilpatrick  was 
then  called  upon  for  a  speech,  and  responded  in  liis 
usually  felicitous  style.  He  is  certainly  an  orator  as 
well  as  a  warrior.  He  speaks,  too,  as  he  fights,  with 
dash  and  daring.  What  he  has  to  say  he  says  w^itli 
such  perspicuity  that  no  one  doubts  his  meaning. 
Frequently  there  are  flashes  of  eloquence  worthy  of 
a  Demosthenes.  His  voice  and  diction  seem  to  be 
well-nigh  faultless.  His  speech  to-day  elicited  fre- 
quent outbursts  of  applause,  and  the  men  cheered 
him  enthusiastically  at  the  close,  and  left  his  quarters 
with  a  deeper  afi*ection  for  him  than  before.  Strict 
as  he  is  to  enforce  discipline,  and  thorough,  yet  he  is 
not  severe ;  and  the  men  love  him  for  his  personal 
attention  to  their  wants,  and  for  his  appreciation  of 
their  labors.  If  he  gives  us  hard  work  to  do  in  march 
or  battle,  he  endures  or  shares  with  us  the  hardship. 
If  by  the  losses  of  men  he  has  sustained  he  is  truly 
entitled  to  the  nickname  of  Kill  Cavalry,"  which 
has  been  quite  generally  accorded  to  him,  his  men 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CoA^alry,  135 

know  that  these  casualties  have  fallen  out  in  the  line 
of  duty,  in  bold  enterprises  that  cost  the  enemy 
dearly,  the  wisdom  of  which  will  ever  exculpate  our 
loved  commander  from  the  imputation  of  rashness 
with  which,  by  uninformed  parties,  he  is  sometimes 
cliarged. 

In  preparation  for,  and  during,  a  battle,  none  can 
excel  him.  His  plans  are  quickly  made  and  exe- 
cuted, while  all  possible  contingencies  seem  to  have 
been  foreseen.  His  selection  of  positions  and  dispo- 
sition of  forces  always  exhibits  great  sagacity  and 
military  genius.  He  generally  holds  his  men  under 
perfect  control.  His  clarion  voice  rings  like  magic 
through  the  ranks,  while  his  busy  form,  alwaj^s  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  elicits  the  warmest  enthusiasm. 
His  equanimity  of  mind  seems  never  to  be  overcome 
by  his  celerity  of  motion,  but  are  equally  balanced. 
Rarely  is  so  great  prudence  found  blended  with  so 
undaunted  courage.  He  has  an  indomitable  will  that 
cannot  brook  defeat.  The  word  impossible  he  never 
knows,  whatever  difficulties  intervene  between  Lim 
and  duty.  He  feels  like  N^apoleon,  "  that  impossible 
is  the  adjective  of  fools." 

Added  to  all  these  mental  qualifications,  is  that 
perfect  physique^  which  makes  Kilpatrick  the  model 
soldier.  As  an  equestrian  we  have  never  seen  his 
superior.  He  rides  as  though  he  had  been  made  for 
a  saddle.  Eocks,  stumps,  fallen  trees,  brooks,  and 
fences  are  nothing  before  him.  His  well-trained 
steeds  understand  him  perfectly,  and  are  never  at  a 
loss  to  know  what  is  meant  by  the  sharp  spurs  on 
their  sides,  whatever  obstacles  stand  in  their  path. 


136       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

We  have  seen  him  leap  over  barriers  where  only  few 
could  follow  him.  To  accomplish  such  feats  the  horse 
must  have  confidence  in  the  rider  as  well  as  the 
rider  in  the  horse.  While  in  a  charge,  Kilpatrick 
has  more  the  appearance  of  an  eagle  pouncing  upon 
his  prey,  than  that  of  a  man  pouncing  upon  a  man. 
Then,  too,  he  has  a  wonderful  power  of  endurance. 
Though  somewhat  slender  in  form  and  delicate  in 
mould,  with  complexion  and  eyes  as  light  as  a  maid- 
en's, yet  it  would  seem  as  though  his  bones  were  iron 
and  his  sinews  steel,  while  the  whole  is  overlaid  with 
gold.  He  is  certainly  compactly  built.  He  has  un- 
doubtedly his  faults,  but  his  men  fail  to  see  them,  so 
that  to  them  he  is  as  good  as  perfect. 

AVhat  so  young  a  champion  of  the  right  may  yet 
achieve  for  his  country,  is  a  matter  of  much  hopeful 
conjecture  among  us.  He  is  now  only  twenty-five 
years  of  age,  having  had  his  birth  in  the  beautiful 
valley  of  the  Clove,  in  JSTorthern  New  Jersey,  in 
1838.  He  entered  the  Military  Academy  at  West 
Point  on  the  twentieth  of  June,  1856,  and  graduated 
with  honors  in  1860,  just  in  time  to  be  ready  for  the 
great  conflict  then  impending.  He  was  present  at 
Baltimore  when  the  mob  endeavored  to  stop  the 
trains  for  Washington,  and  the  blood  of  Massachu- 
setts men  was  spilt  upon  the  streets.  He  there  ex- 
hibited that  bold  intrepidity  which  has  ever  charac- 
terized his  actions.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Big  Bethel,  one  of  the  first  engagements  of  the 
war,  where  as  a  lieutenant  he  commanded  Duryea's 
Zouaves,  June  eleventh,  1861.  He  had  just  recovered 
from  his  wound  when  he  entered  upon  the  organiza- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  137 


tion  of  the  Harris  Light,  and  became  its  lieutenant- 
colonel. 

March  5. — We  had  regimental  drill  at  the  usual 
time  this  morning.  I  rode  my  black  pony  recently 
drawn  in  place  of  my  little  black  mare,  deceased. 
This  was  his  first  experience  in  cavalry  discipline  *, 
and  I  infer  that  the  men  in  the  front  rank  of  the 
platoon,  which  I  commanded,  hoped  it  might  be  his 
last  entry ;  for  it  must  have  been  most  emphatically 
evident  to  those  who  followed  him  that  he  was  de- 
termined to  introduce  a  new  system  of  tactics,  in 
which  heels  were  to  go  up  in  no  gentle  manner  at  - 
every  chauge  of  movement.  He  is  certainly  the 
most  ungovernable  horse  on  drill  I  ever  mounted ; 
and  nothing  but  long  marches  and  raids  can  efiectu-  « 
ally  subdue  his  kicking  propensities.  I  am  encour- 
aged, however,  with  the  consideration  that  such  fiery 
metal,  when  properly  controlled  and  moulded,  is 
usually  very  valuable. 

Tlie  rain  fell  so  fast  on  the  sixth,  that  we  were 
prevented  from  drill,  and  recall  was  sounded  imme- 
diately after  drill-call. 

Sundayj  March  8. — Details  from  the  regiment 
w^ere  ordered  out  on  picket.  The  night  had  been 
stormy,  but  the  day  has  been  lovely.  At  such  times, 
were  it  not  for  the  mud,  we  would  feel  that  we  are 
very  comfortably  circumstanced. 

On  the  eleventh,  in  the  morning,  the  ground  was 
covered  with  snow  which  had  fallen  in  the  night.  A 
brilliant  sun  soon  dissolved  the  pure  mantle  and  left 
us  in  much  mire.  But  our  attention  was  diverted 
from  the  going  by  a  novel  scene  wliich  we  were 


138       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

called  to  witness  in  camp.  The  regiment  was  in- 
structed in  the  best  method  of  packing  a  mule,  by 
one  who  has  had  experience  in  the  business.  The 
most  mulish  mule  in  the  whole  braying  family  was 
selected  for  the  operation,  and  if  we  did  not  have 
some  tall  fun  I  will  admit  that  I  am  no  judge.  A 
hog  on  ice  or  a  bristling  porcupine  are  bad  enough, 
but  an  ngly  mule  outstrips  them  all.  It  seems  as  if 
the  irascible  animal  tried  to  do  his  prettiest,  flounc- 
ing around  in  a  most  laughable  manner,  pawing  and 
kicking  at  times  furiously.  But  the  desperate  Yan- 
kee teacher  was  not  to  be  outwitted,  and  conquered 
him  at  last,  when  the  pack  was  satisfactorily  poised, 
and  the  ornamented  mule  was  promenaded  about 
camp  as  in  triumph. 

We  are  informed  that  it  is  the  intention  of  the 
authorities  to  have  pack-mules  used  in  the  cavalry 
corps  henceforward  in  place  of  army  wagons.  The 
reason  of  this  change  seems  to  be  to  facilitate  rapid 
movements  or  forced  marches.  It  is  the  prevailing 
opinion,  however,  that  the  experiment  will  prove  a 
failure.  Too  many  mules  would  be  required  for  this 
purpose,  and  our  forage  and  rations  would  be  very 
insecure,  especially  from  the  storms.  But  we  will  see 
how  the  thing  works.    At  times  it  may  be  expedient. 

March  12. — I  had  the  misfortune  to  have  my 
quarters  burned  this  morning  while  getting  out  a  de- 
tail for  picket.  All  my  extra  clothing,  equipments, 
and  some  little  mementoes  or  valuables  were  speedily 
converted  into  ashes.  But  I  immediately  went  to 
work,  and  with  some  kind  assistance,  which  every 
brother-soldier  is  so  ready  to  bestow,  I  put  up  a  new 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  139 

establishment  wliich  in  every  respect  is  superior  to  the 
old.  Our  homes,  it  is  true,  are  easily  destroyed,  but 
they  are  as  easily  replaced. 

March  13. — Details  from  the  regiment,  with  pack- 
mules,  were  sent  out  to  the  Kappahannock,  to  carry 
rations  and  forage  to  our  pickets.  The  mule-train 
looks  oddly  enough,  and  yet  through  these  muddy 
roads  it  seems  to  be  a  necessity. 

March  14. — To-day  I  am  doing  regimental  guard 
duty.  The  guard  has  been  not  a  little  amused  by  the 
arrest  of  Kilpatrick's  colored  servants.  It  was  their 
misfortune  to  be  discovered  by  Captain  Southard,  the 
officer  of  the  day,  while  engaged  in  a  fierce  contest, 
in  w^hich  their  heads  w^ere  used  as  the  chief  weapons 
of  attack  and  defence.  The  blows  they  dealt  upon 
each  other  were  most  terrible,  reminding  one  of  the 
battering-rams  of  old,  used  for  demolishing  the  walls 
of  forts  or  cities.  Such  ancient  modes  of  warfare,  of 
course,  could  not  be  tolerated  here,  especially  as  no 
order  for  battle  had  been  promulgated  from  head- 
quarters, and  the  captain  arrested  the  offenders  and 
brought  them  to  the  guard-house,  where  they  were 
placed  in  my  charge.  I  immediately  ordered  them 
out  under  guard  to  police  camp  as  a  punishment  for 
their  bad  conduct. 

"While  thus  engaged,  Kilpatrick  happened  to  see 
them,  and,  not  wishing  to  have  his  faithful  servants 
subjected  to  such  humiliating  labor,  issued  an  order 
for  their  immediate  release  from  durance  vile,  assert- 
ing that  he  would  be  responsible  for  their  fighting  in 
the  future,  if  at  least  they  did  not  put  their  heads  to- 
gether more  than  half  a  dozen  times  a  day. 
6^ 


140       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

The  day  following  this  laughable  farce,  in  the 
afternoon,  we  experienced  one  of  the  most  terrific 
storms  ever  known  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The 
day  had  been  quite  pleasant  until  about  two  o'clock, 
when  dark  clouds  began  to  obscure  the  sky,  and  the 
wind  shifted  from  the  south  to  the  north-west.  At 
four  o'clock  the  elements  were  ready  for  battle,  and  a 
fierce  engagement  commenced.  Gleaming  and  forked 
lightnings  cleft  the  canopy,  while  booming  thunder 
shook  the  trembling  earth.  The  artillery  of  Heaven 
had  not  long  been  opened  before  the  musketry  com- 
menced, and  down  poured  a  shower  of  hail,  which 
came  near  demolishing  our  tents,  and  brought  suf- 
fering and  sorrow  upon  all  unsheltered  heads.  Mules 
brayed  horribly,  vying  w^ith  the  hoarse,  muttering 
thunder,  making  the  camp  most  hideous  and  lonely. 
The  wind  and  cold  increased  with  every  passing  hour, 
the  hail  fell  faster  and  more  heavily,  and  night  came 
suddenly  down  to  hide,  though  not  to  prevent,  the 
storm.  The  night  was  one  of  great  suffering,  espe- 
cially on  the  lines  of  picket — it  was  bad  enough  any- 
where. 

March  23. — A  beautiful  sabre  was  presented  to 
Major  E.  F.  Cooke  this  afternoon,  by  the.  members 
of  his  old  company,  for  his  gallantry  and  soldierly 
character,  which  have  earned  his  promotion.  Cap- 
tain O.  J.  Downing,  of  company  B,  made  the  present- 
ation speech,  in  which  he  beautifully  alluded  to  the 
happy  relation  which  always  exists  between  a  faith- 
ful commander  and  his  men.  As  a  token  that  such 
relation  existed  between  the  major  and  those  whom 
he  had  often  led  through  perilous  scenes  and  con- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  141 

flicts,  their  gift  was  presented.  An  appropriate  re- 
sponse was  made  by  the  major,  in  which  he  very 
humbly  attributed  his  military  success  thus  far  to  the 
bravery  of  the  noble  men  who  had  always  stood  by 
him,  and  whose  gift  he  accepted  not  only  as  a  mark 
of  their  aj)preciation  of  himself  as  a  man,  but  of  their 
devotion  to  the  cause  which  he  hoped,  by  the  edge  of 
the  sabre  and  trust  in  Providence,  we  may  yet  win. 

March  24. — Kilpatrick's  brigade  w^as  reviewed 
this  morning  by  General  Gregg,  who  commands  the 
Second  division  of  the  cavalry  corps.  Kilpatrick 
commands  the  First  brigade,  which  is  composed  of 
the  First  Maine,  the  Tenth  Xew  York,  and  Harris 
Light.  On  the  twenty-fifth  General  Gregg  again 
reviewed  us.  We  were  ordered  to  turn  out  in 
heavy  marching  orders,"  that  is,  with  all  our  cloth- 
ing, rations,  forage  or  grain,  and  fully  equipped. 
For  some  reason  inspections  and  reviews  are  frequent 
of  late.  The  Harris  Light  maintains  its  established 
reputation,  as  being  second  to  none  in  the  corps,  for 
its  efficiency  in  drill  and  discipline,  and  in  its  general 
appearance.  The  men  take  pride  in  keeping  up  the 
morale  of  the  regiment. 

March  28. — Colonel  Clarence  Buel  is  paying  us  a 
visit  to-day.  This  gallant  and  noble  officer,  who  or- 
ganized and  formerly  commanded  the  Troy  company 
of  the  Harris  Light,  has  recently  been  promoted  to 
tlie  colonelcy  of  the  Hundred  and  Sixty-ninth  New 
York  Infantry.  The  colonel  has  taken  a  temporary 
leave  of  absence  from  his  new  command  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  us  a  friendly  call ;  and  he  is  again 
surrounded  by  his  old  tried  friends  and  comrades. 


142       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

Company  E  hails  with  pleasure  its  former  loved  cap- 
tain, and  though  sad  at  his  loss,  still  rejoices  in  his 
well-earned  and  merited  promotion.  All  the  men  of 
the  company  showed  their  respect  and  admiration 
for  him  by  falling  into  line  npon  the  announcement 
of  his  arrival  in  camp,  and  thus  greeted  the  Chris- 
tian soldier.  It  was  a  very  delightful  and  enjoyable 
occasion. 

As  a  soldier,  Colonel  Buel  stands  among  the  brav- 
est and  the  best.  Alwaj^s  attentive  to  the  wants  of 
his  command,  his  men  are  always  the  last  to  be  out 
of  supplies  of  rations  or  clothing.  He  generally  exer- 
cised that  fatherly  care  over  us  which  called  forth  in 
return  a  filial  love.  He  is  dignified,  and  yet  perfectly 
affable.  As  a  commander,  he  is  intrepid  and  cool, 
and  manages  his  troops  with  admirable  skill.  He 
possesses  a  naturally  well-balanced  mind,  thoroughly 
cultivated,  and  a  heart  always  full  of  Christian  hope- 
fulness and  benevolence.  We  wash  him  great  STiccess 
in  his  new  field  of  labor  and  responsibility. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  143 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

REBEL  CHIEFS  AND  THEIR  RAIDS. 

1863. — Rebel  Raids  by  Stuart,  Imboden,  and  Eitz-Hiigli  Lee. — John  S. 
Mosby,  Guerilla  Chief. — His  Character. — His  Command. — Daring 
and  Plunder. — Aided  by  Citizens. — Condition  of  the  Country  Favora- 
ble for  their  Depredations. — Our  Picket  Lines  too  Light. — Attacks 
on  Pickets  at  Herndon  Station,  Cub  Run,  and  Frying-Pan  Church. 
— Miss  Laura  Ratcliffe,  Mosby's  Informant.— Mosby  at  Fairfax  Court 
House. — Capture  of  General  Stoughton. — Fight  at  Chantilly. — Mosby 
lauded  by  His  Chiefs. — Mosby  beaten  at  Warrenton  Junction. — Se- 
verely whipped  at  Greenwich,  where  he  loses  a  Howitzer  captured 
from  Colonel  Baker  at  Ball's  Bluff. 

THE  Eebel  cavalry  lias  been  very  active  all  -winter,  as 
may  be  seen  by  the  many  raids  which  they  have 
made,  beginning  as  far  back  as  December  twenty-fifth, 
when  their  chief,  J.  E.  B.  Stuart,  anxious  to  obtain 
something  suitable  with  which  to  celebrate  the  holi- 
days, crossed  the  Rappahannock,  advanced  on  Dum- 
fries, where  it  would  seem  that  our  boys,  freezing  dumb 
(Dumfries),  suffered  the  raider  to  capture  not  less 
than  twenty-five  wagons,  and  at  least  two  hundred 
prisoners.  Moving  boldly  northward,  he  struck  the 
Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  burning  the  bridge 
across  the  Accotink  Run,  and  from  Burke's  Station 
he  swung  around  Fairfax  Court  House,  and  returned, 
by  long,  circuitous  route,  into  their  lines  with  their 
hard-earned  spoils. 

A  lull  of  operations  followed  this  bold  holiday  en- 


144:       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

terprise,  until  the  sixteentli  of  February,  when  a 
party  of  General  John  D.  Imboden's  rangers,  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  made  a  rapid  raid  to  Romney, 
farther  west,  where  they  captured  several  men, 
horses,  and  wagons,  having  taken  our  forces  entirely 
by  surprise.  The  success  which  characterized  these 
forays  was  not  only  disgraceful  to  ourselves,  and  very 
disheartening,  but  it  gave  the  Rebels  an  audacious 
effrontery  and  malignant  boldness,  which  led  them 
into  more  frequent  and  reckless  movements.  But  our 
men  were  a  little  more  on  the  alert,  and  thus  averted, 
to  a  great  extent,  the  injury  which  was  intended. 

February  25. — To-day  Fitz-Hugh  Lee,  almost  in 
the  very  face  of  our  pickets,  crossed  the  Rappahan- 
nock near  Falmouth,  attacked  by  surprise  a  camp, 
where  he  captured  one  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners, 
but  was  not  able  to  return  without  some  loss.  The 
next  day  General  W.  E.  Jones  marched  with  a  bri- 
gade into  the  Yalley,  attacked  and  routed  two  regi- 
ments of  General  Milroy's  cavalry,  and,  with  slight 
loss  from  his  command,  escaped  with  about  two  hun- 
dred prisoners.  The  most  daring,  however,  of  all 
these  raids  was  made  by  Major  White,  with  his  band 
of  Loudon  County  rangers,  which  differs  not  much 
from  guerillas,  into  Maryland,  where  they  captured 
a  few  prisoners,  but  spent  most  of  their  time  and 
strength  in  plunder.  Poolesville  was  the  scene  of 
their  depredations. 

It  did  seem  as  though  nearly  every  Rebel  cavalry 
officer  had  been  touched  with  a  magic  wand  which 
filled  him  with  the  most  weird  and  romantic  views 
of  warfare,  and  led  him  into  enterprises  almost  as 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  145 

wild  as  any  of  Dick  Tiirpin's.  Fauquier  County  was 
the  theatre  of  several  of  these  movements  by  Captain 
Eandolph,  of  the  Black  Horse  Cavalry.  And  in 
these  days  appeared  another  partisan,  whose  name 
for  the  first  time  flashes  out  in  big  capitals  in  the 
official  as  well  as  other  bulletins,  amid  most  startling 
manoeuvrings  :  it  is  John  S.  Mosby.  To  the  Harris 
Light  this  gentleman  was  not  wholly  unknown,  and 
we  distinctly  remember  the  time  when  he  was  a  pris- 
oner in  our  hands.  It  appears  that  he  was  then 
sent  to  Old  Capitol  Prison  at  Washington.  Kot  long 
thereafter  he  was  released  ;  and,  being  bent  on  re- 
venge, and  naturally  fitted  for  guerilla  operations, 
he  soon  received  permission  from  his  chief,  to  operate 
on  an  independent  plan. 

This  Mosby,  as  we  have  been  informed  by  an  ac- 
quaintance of  his,  a  Eebel  soldier  who  has  known  him 
from  early  life,  has  always  been  a  sort  of  guerilla — • 
deserting  from  his  father's  house  in  mere  boyhood — 
fighting  duels  as  a  pastime — roving  the  country  far 
and  wide  in  search  of  pleasure  or  profit — a  thorough 
student  of  human  nature  and  of  the  country  in  which 
he  operates — bold  and  daring  to  a  fault  and  romantic 
in  his  make — and  finding  now  his  chief  delight  in  the 
adventures  of  guerilla  life. 

His  commission  is  a  roving  one,  and  his  command 
seems  to  be  limited  neither  to  kind  or  number.  Many 
of  his  men  are  citizens,  who  spend  a  portion  of  their 
time  in  their  ordinary  business,  and  who  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  for  any  movements  indicated  by 
their  commander-in-chief.  Occasionally  he  is  accom- 
panied and  assisted  in  his  forays  by  daring  men  from 


146       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

various  commands,  who  are  at  home  on  leaves  of  ab- 
sence or  furloughs,  while  a  few  seem  to  be  directly 
and  continually  under  his  control.  The  principal 
stimulus  of  the  entire  party  (except  the  bad  whiskey 
which  they  are  said  to  use),  is  the  plunder  which 
they  share.  It  is  their  custom  at  times  to  parole 
their  prisoners  and  send  them  back  to  our  lines, 
though  often,  when  large  numbers  are  taken,  they 
are  sent  to  Richmond ;  but  all  horses  and  equip- 
ments, which  now  command  enormous  prices  in 
Dixie,  are  the  property  of  the  captors. 

The  region  of  the  country  they  have  chosen  for 
their  operations  is  certainly  well  adapted  to  facilitate 
their  designs.  Deep  ravines  traverse  the  country, 
skirted  with  dense,  dark  foliage,  which  affords  them 
shelter,  and  through  which  they  pass  like  so  many 
wild  turkeys  or  wild  boars,  knowing,  as  they  do,  all 
the  roads  and  by-paths.  Indeed,  some  of  their  parties 
are  dwellers  in  these  regions,  and  are  acquainted  with 
every  nook  and  corner,  where  they  can  hide  securely 
Avith  their  prey  and  elude  their  pursuers.  When  the 
immediate  neighborhoods  of  their  depredations  do 
not  oflfer  a  sufficient  asylum,  they  fly  to  the  fastnesses 
and  caverns  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains. 

Then,  too,  there  is  a  certain  degree  of  carelessness 
on  the  part  of  our  own  men,  which  merits  censure 
and  causes  trouble.  For  instance,  they  frequently 
call  at  the  homes  of  bitter  Rebels  for  the  purposes  of 
pleasure,  or  to  get  articles  of  food,  which  they  pur- 
chase or  take,  and  while  at  these  places  they  are  too 
free  to  talk  about  the  condition  of  our  army,  the 
position  of  our  picket  lines  and  posts,  etc. — informa- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CoA^alrxj.  147 

tion  wliich  is  grasped  with  wonderful  avidity  and  as 
readily  transmitted  to  Mosby  and  his  men.  Scarcely 
does  any  important  event  transpire  among  ns,  that  is 
not  fully  understood  immediately  by  the  Rebel  fami- 
lies within  our  lines,  and  is  very  easily  borne  to 
those  outside  the  lines  between  two  days.  Thus 
movements  even  in  contemplation  have  been  heralded 
before  the  incipient  steps  had  been  taken,  and  con- 
sequently thwarted.  Our  only  safety  from  this  source 
of  trouble  would  be  to  drive  out  of  our  lines  all  Rebel 
families,  thus  preventing  the  means  of  communicating 
the  news  to  the  outer  world. 

Another  simple  statement  will  explain  the  chances 
of  the  enemy  and  the  causes  of  many  of  our  casual- 
ties. Our  picket-lines  are  too  much  extended,  cover- 
ing too  wide  a  territory  to  make  them  as  strong  as 
they  should  be.  Only  a  brigade  is  doing  the  work 
of  a  division,  and  consequently  the  picket-posts  are 
not  sufficiently  near  each  other.  Tiius,  in  the  night, 
it  requires  no  very  great  dexterity  to  creep  through 
the  bushes  between  the  pickets  unobserved,  and, 
once  within  our  lines,  any  amount  of  mischief  may 
be  done  by  the  miscreants.  The  method  indicated 
here  is  usually  the  one  employed  by  these  active 
guerillas,  and  it  forms  the  chief  stratagem  of  all 
their  movements  upon  us. 

Their  first  important  attack  upon  our  pickets  took 
place  on  or  about  the  tenth  of  January.  A  small 
Federal  picket  was  doing  duty  at  Herndon  Station, 
on  the  Loudon  and  Hampshire  Railroad.  Mosby 
determined  to  effect  their  capture.  Led  by  a  skilful 
guide,  he  dismounted  his  command  some  distance 


148       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

from  the  picket-lines.  Then  thej  all  crept  cautiously 
between  the  vedettes,  until  they  reached  the  rear  of 
the  post,  and  from  that  direction  advanced  upon  the 
unsuspecting  boys,  whose  forms  could  be  distinctly 
seen  by  the  flaring  light  of  their  bivouac  fire.  "While 
the  pickets  were  thus  a  fine  shot  and  mark  for  the 
enemy,  the  attacking  force  was  concealed  perfectly  by 
the  darkness  of  night  and  the  shades  of  the  thick 
pines.  A  pistol-shot  from  the  guerillas  was  followed 
by  a  charge,  when  our  boys  were  suddenly  surrounded 
and  captured. 

This  attack  and  capture  was  follow^ed  by  another 
similar  enterprise  a  few  nights  afterwards  at  Cub  Kun, 
near  the  Little  Kiver  Turnpike.  The  picket  relief 
was  captured  by  a  charge  made  in  their  rear,  and  only 
the  two  vedettes  made  their  escape.  Later  in  the  same 
night  a  similar  assault  was  made  upon  our  post  at 
Frying-Pan  Church.  Not  far  from  this  church  resides 
a  Miss  Laura  Eatclifie,  a  very  active  and  cunning 
Rebel,  w^ho  is  known  to  our  men,  and  is  at  least  sus- 
pected of  assisting  Mosby  not  a  little  in  his  movements. 
The  cavalry  brigade  doing  picket  duty  at  this  point 
is  composed  of  the  First  Virginia  (many  of  whose  men 
were  raised  in  these  parts),  the  First  Yermont,  the 
Fifth  New  York,  and  the  Eighteenth  Pennsylvania. 
The  latter  of  these  regiments  has  but  recently  been 
mustered  into  the  service,  is  poorly  drilled  and  worse 
equipped,  and  is  by  no  means  fitted  to  picket  against 
so  wily  a  foe  as  Mosby.  Though  great  caution  is 
exercised  by  Colonel  Percy  Wyndham,  who  is  in 
command  of  the  brigade,  to  arrange  and  change  the 
alternation  of  the  pickets,  so  that  the  regiments  to 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  149 

picket  at  a  given  point  may  not  be  known  beforehand ; 
yet  by  means  of  Miss  Eatcliffe  and  her  rebellions 
sisterhood,  Mosby  is  generally  informed  of  the  regi- 
ment doing  duty,  and  his  attacks  are  usually  directed 
against  the  unskilled  and  unsuspecting. 

Having  approached,  under  cover  of  the  night 
above  alluded  to,  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the 
pickets,  whose  position  and  strength  he  knew  very 
well  from  information  received  by  the  neighbors,  the 
horses  were  left  in  charge  of  one  man,  while  the  party 
skulked  along  through  the  thick  underbrush,  until 
they  could  approach  the  post  from  the  direction  of  the 
Union  camp.  The  picket  relief  was  mostly  quartered 
in  an  old  house  near  by,  with  a  single  sentinel  station- 
ed at  the  door.  Seeing  the  Mosby  party  approaching, 
he  supposed  that  they  were  a  patrol,  and  consequently 
allowed  them  to  come  within  a  few  paces  of  the  house 
before  he  challenged  them.  But  it  was  now  too  late ; 
and  springing  forward  like  panthers,  the  guerillas 
presented  their  pistols  at  his  head,  ordering  a  sur- 
render. The  house  was  immediately  surrounded  and 
the  assailants  began  to  fire  through  the  thin  weather- 
boarding  upon  the  men  shut  up  within.  This  fire, 
however,  was  vigorously  returned  for  a  time,  but 
yielding  at  last  to  superior  numbers,  who  had  greatly 
the  advantage,  the  whole  party  was  compelled  to  sur- 
render. 

The  success  with  which  Mosby  carried  on  his 
operations  made  him  a  sort  of  terror  to  our  pickets, 
while  it  attracted  to  him  from  all  quarters  of  Eebel- 
dom  a  larger  and  more  enthusiastic  command.  They 
became  wonderfully  skilled  and  bold,  as  may  be  seen 


150       TJiree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

by  the  following  daring  exploit.  On  the  night  of  the 
eighth  of  March,  during  rain  and  intense  darkness, 
Mosby  led  a  squadron  of  his  conglomerate  command 
through  the  pines  between  the  pickets  near  the  Turn- 
pike from  Centreville  to  Fairfax  Court  House.  Strik- 
ing through  the  country,  so  as  to  avoid  some  infantry 
camps,  he  soon  reached  the  road  leading  from  Fairfax 
Station  to  the  Court  House.  Moving  now  with  per- 
fect confidence,  as  no  pickets  along  this  route  would 
suspect  the  character  of  such  a  cavalcade  several  miles 
inside  our  lines,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  he 
entered  the  village  and  began  operations.  The  first 
thing  was  to  capture  the  pickets  stationed  along  the 
streets  in  a  quiet  manner,  so  as  to  arouse  no  one  from 
their  slumbers,  and  this  was  easily  accomplished. 
The  way  was  now  fully  open  to  the  Confederate  band. 
Divided  into  parties,  each  with  its  work  assigned,  they 
quickly  accomplished  the  mischief  they  desired. 

Mosby,  with  a  small  band,  proceeded  to  General 
Stoughton's  headquarters,  in  the  house  of  a  Dr. 
Gunnel.  Dismounting,  he  soon  stood  knocking  at  the 
door.  A  voice  from  an  open  window  above  demand- 
ed their  business  at  such  an  unseasonable  hour.  "  Des- 
patches for  General  Stoughton,"  responded  Mosby. 
The  door  was  quickly  unlocked,  and  the  guerilla  chief 
stood  by  the  bedside  of  the  sleeping  general,  who  had 
but  a  few  moments  before  retired  from  a  dancing  and 
convivial  party.  Fancy  now  the  reenactment  of  the 
scene  in  old  Ticonderoga  fort,  when  Ethan  Allen,  by 
stratagem,  stood  in  the  presence  of  His  Majesty's  sleep- 
ing commander. 

Stougliton  was  soon  apprised  of  the  character  of 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  151 

his  nightly  visitors,  and  quickly  making  his  toilet,  he 
was  hurried  away  with  a  portion  of  his  escort,  and 
several  other  prisoners,  including  Captain  Augustus 
Barker,  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry.  Fifty-eight 
of  the  finest  horses  from  the  oflicers'  stables  were  also 
captured ;  and  Mosby  retraced  his  sinuous  route 
through  our  lines  of  pickets  so  rapidly,  that  he  escaped 
all  his  pursuers. 

The  morning  light  of  the  ninth  of  March  revealed 
the  boldness  and  success  of  the  raiders,  and  no  little 
excitement  prevailed.  Several  parties  of  cavalry  were 
ordered  out  in  pursuit  of  the  flying  partisans,  but  all 
returned  at  night  unsuccessful.  This  was  an  occasion 
for  great  humiliation  on  the  part  of  our  troops, 
stationed  about  the  Court  House,  while  in  Washing- 
ton and  throughout  the  nation  not  a  little  humor  was 
drawn  from  the  remark  made  by  the  President  when 
some  one  told  him  of  the  loss  we  had  sustained ;  "Yes," 
he  characteristically  replied,  "  that  of  the  horses  is 
bad  ;  but  I  can  make  another  general  in  five  minutes." 

Suspicious  that  Rebel  citizens  within  our  lines 
were  more  or  less  implicated  in  this  and  other  raids, 
quite  a  number  of  arrests  were  made  among  them, 
which  cleared  the  country  of  the  most  flagitious  cases. 
However,  it  is  very  probable  that  some  innocent  ones 
were  made  to  suffer,  while  the  most  guilty  were  al- 
lowed to  escape. 

March  23. — The  pickets  near  Chantilly  had  been 
quiet  for  several  days,  but  toward  night  a  company 
of  cavaliers,  mostly  dressed  in  blue  uniforms,  emerged 
from  a  piece  of  wood  within  a  mile  of  the  Chantilly 
mansion,  and  moved  directly  toward  the  picket  post 


152       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CaA)al/ry. 

stationed  near  a  small  run  on  the  Little  River  Turn- 
pike. The  picket,  supposing  them  to  be  Union  troops, 
watched  their  approach  without  suspicion ;  and  when 
they  had  come  within  a  few  feet  of  him  tliey  intro- 
duced themselves  by  shooting  him  through  the  head. 
The  alarm  being  thus  given,  the  nearest  reserve  made 
a  sudden  descent  upon  the  attacking  party,  which 
proved  to  be  Mosby's,  and  the  guerillas  retreated  for 
some  distance  up  the  turnpike,  closely  pursued. 
Having  followed  them  about  three  miles,  they  came 
to  a  barricade  of  trees  which  had  been  fallen  across 
the  road.  Back  of  this  obstruction  Mosby  had  formed 
a  large  part  of  his  command,  and  our  column  was 
shopped  by  a  heavy  fire  from  carbines  and  pistols' in 
their  front  and  also  by  a  flank-fire  from  the  woods. 
At  this  inopportune  moment  Mosby  made  a  charge 
which  broke  our  column.  The  boys  were  driven  back 
at  a  furious  rate,  and  had  not  strength  to  rally.  Some 
horses  giving  out,  the  hapless  riders  were  captured. 

But  as  Rebels  and  Yankees  were  uniformed  much 
alike,  it  gave  some  of  onr  boys  an  opportunity  for 
stratagem.  For  instance,  one  of  our  fellows  finding 
himself  overtaken  by  the  enemy,  began  to  fire  his 
pistol  in  the  direction  of  his  flying  comrades  (with 
care  not  to  harm  them),  but  with  sufl[icient  vim  to  be 
taken  by  the  enemy,  in  their  haste,  as  one  of  their 
number.  In  this  way  they  passed  him  by,  and  he 
efiected  his  escape. 

This  scrambling  race  continued  for  about  three 
miles,  back  to  the  ground  where  the  affair  com- 
menced, when  our  men  w^ere  reenforced  by  the  reserve 
from  Frying-Pan  Church.    The  Mosbyites  were  now 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  153 


compelled  to  halt,  and  a  charge  made  upon  them 
drove  them  back  up  the  pike.  They  were  pursued 
several  miles,  but  night  came  on  and  our  men  were 
compelled  to  return.  Three  of  our  men  were  killed, 
and  about  thirty-five  were  taken  prisoners,  including 
one  lieutenant.  Several  horses  were  also  taken  away. 
The  enemy  suffered  no  appreciable  loss. 

Mosby's  plans  were  certainly  made  with  great 
wisdom  and  forethought,  and  executed  with  a  dash 
and  will  which  were  at  times  very  astonishing.  His 
men  must  have  been  warmly  attached  to  him  as 
their  leader,  while  the  gain  they  made  by  their  plun- 
der greatly  increased  their  zeal.  The  command  was 
truly  uniqxie  in  its  leader,  its  composition,  and  its 
modus  operandi^  while  its  results,  assisted  as  they 
were  by  the  topography  of  the  country,  and  the  Rebel 
sympathizers  within  and  just  without  our  lines,  at- 
tracted no  little  attention.  The  orders  of  General 
Stuart  and  even  those  of  General  Lee  associated  the 
name  of  Mosby  with  consummate  daring  and  continual 
success,  stimulating  the  band  to  greater  deeds.  We 
append  one  specimen  of  those  orders,  furnished  us  by 
one  of  their  own  number : 

Headquarters,  Cavalry  Bivkiox,  ) 
Army  of  Northern  VirgiDia,  March.  27,  1863.  j" 

Captain — Your  telegram,  announcing  your  brilliant  achieve- 
ments near  Chantilly,  was  duly  received  and  forwarded  to  Gen- 
eral Lee.  He  exclaimed  upon  reading  it,  ^'  Hurrah  for  Mosby  ! 
I  "vvish  I  had  a  hundred  like  him !  " 

Heartily  wishing  you  continued  success,  I  remain  your  obe- 
dient servant, 

J.  E.  B.  Stuart, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Captain  J.  S.  Mosby,  commanding,  etc.,  etc. 


154       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cojvalry, 

But  it  is  not  often  permitted  one  man  always  to 
prosper  in  his  enterprises,  and  even  the  wonderful 
Mosby  was  destined  to  meet  equals,  and  to  be  worsted 
in  engagements.  Later  in  the  season,  while  General 
Stahel's  cavalry  division  was  picketing  the  line  of  the 
Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  Mosby  made  a  sud- 
den descent  one  morning  upon  the  First  Yirginia 
Cavalry  at  Warrenton  Junction.  Unfortunately,  these 
Union  Virginians,  who  were  one  of  the  best  regiments 
in  our  service,  were  just  then  unprepared  for  any  such 
manoeuvring.  They  had  just  been  relieved  from  duty, 
and  were  taking  their  rest.  Many  of  the  men  were 
lounging  about  under  the  shade  of  trees,  or  quartered 
for  the  time  in  a  few  block  buildings  situated  in  an 
angle  formed  by  the  two  railroads.  Their  horses  were 
mostly  "  unsaddled  and  unbridled,  and  hence  not  fit 
for  a  fight,"  while  many  of  them  were  grazing  loosely 
and  quietly  in  the  adjoining  fields. 

Mosby  advanced  upon  them  from  the  direction  of 
Warrenton — was  at  first  mistaken  for  a  squadron  of 
our  own  cavalry,  which  had  been  sent  out  on  a  scout- 
ing expedition.  The  error  was  soon  corrected  by  a 
fierce  charge  made  by  the  guerillas.  Such  of  the 
men  as  were  roaming  about  the  premises,  mostly  un- 
armed, of  course  immediately  surrendered ;  but  about 
one  hundred  of  them  fled  for  refuge  in  one  of  the 
largest  buildings,  resolved  to  sell  themselves  (if  it 
came  to  that)  at  the  dearest  price.  And  now  com- 
menced a  fearful  struggle.  The  Confederates  would 
ride  up  near  the  windows  and  discharge  their  pieces 
at  the  men  within,  while  the  brave  fellows  inside, 
commanded  and  inspired  by  Major  Steele,  one  of 


Three  Yeai'S  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  155 

the  bravest  of  the  brave,  defended  themselves 
with  a  noble  determination.  All  efforts  of  Mosby 
to  make  them  surrender  were  in  vain.  Finding 
at  last  that  he  could  not  intimidate  them  with 
bullets,  he  ordered  the  torch  to  be  applied  to  a  pile 
of  hay  near  by,  and  the  house  was  set  on  fire.  Just 
at  this  juncture  of  affairs  a  strong  party  of  Mosby 's 
gang,  having  dismounted  from  their  horses,  rushed 
against  the  door  of  the  building  with  such  force  as  to 
burst  it  open.  Surrounded  now  by  the  flames,  which 
were  spreading  rapidly,  and  attacked  with  desper- 
ation by  the  foe,  the  whole  party  was  compelled  to 
surrender. 

Flushed  with  success,  the  guerillas  were  making 
preparations  to  retire  from  the  field  with  their  booty, 
when  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  which  had  been 
bivouacked  in  a  grove  not  far  from  Cedar  Run  Bridge, 
arrived  at  the  Junction,  whither  they  had  been  at- 
tracted by  the  firing,  and  immediately  fell  upon  tlie 
foe  like  an  avalanche.  Major  Hammond  commanded 
in  person.  Mosby  was  heard  to  exclaim,  "  My  God  ! 
it  is  the  Fifth  New  York!"  A  hand-to-hand  en- 
counter now  took  place,  in  which  bravery  was  fired 
with  desperation,  and  Yankee  sabres  w^ere  used  with 
fearful  effect.  The  Rebels  soon  broke  and  fled  in  ev- 
ery direction,  demoralized  and  panic-stricken,  leaving 
behind  not  only  the  captures  they  had  made,  but 
many  of  their  own  number.  Some  Rebel  heads  were 
fearfully  gashed  and  mangled,  one  of  them  exhibiting 
his  lower  jaw-bone  not  only  dislocated,  but  almost 
entirely  severed  with  one  determined  blow  from  the 
strong  hand  of  a  cavalryman. 


156       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


General  Stahel,  in  his  despatch  to  General  Heint- 
zelman,  says  :  "  The  Kebels,  who  fled  in  the  direction 
of  Warrenton,  were  pursued  by  Major  Hammond, 
Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  who  has  returned,  and  re- 
ports our  charge  at  Warrenton  Junction  as  being  so 
terrific  as  to  have  thoroughly  routed  and  scattered 
them  in  every  direction.  I  have  sent  in  twenty-three 
prisoners  of  Mosby's  command,  all  of  whom  are 
wounded — the  greater  part  of  them  badly.  Dick 
Moran  (a  notorious  bushwhacker)  is  among  the  num- 
ber. There  are  also  three  officers  of  Mosby's.  The 
loss  of  the  enemy  was  very  heavy  in  killed,  besides 
many  wounded,  who  scattered  and  prevented  capture. 
I  have  no  hopes  of  the  recovery  of  Major  Steele,  of 
the  First  Yirginia.  Our  loss  is  one  killed  and  four- 
teen wounded." 

Templeman,  one  of  Stonewall  Jackson's  best 
spies,  was  killed ;  and  the  partisans  confessed  them- 
selves thoroughly  whipped.  They  were  wont  to  call 
this  their  first  retreat,  in  which  they  did  some  tall 
running.  The  following  complimentary  order  was 
issued : 

Headquarters  Stahel's  Cavalry  Division,  ) 
Fairfax  Court  House,  Va.  ,  1863.  \ 

SPECIAL  ORDERS  NO.  30. 

Wliea  soldiers  perforin  brave  deeds,  a  proper  acknowledg- 
ment of  their  services  is  justly  their  due.  The  commanding 
general,  therefore,  desires  to  express  his  gratification  at  the 
conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  Colonel  De  Forest's  com- 
mand, who  were  engaged  in  the  fight  at  Warrenton  Junction,  on 

Sunday,  ,  1863.    By  your  promptness  and  gaHantry 

the  gang  of  guerillas  who  have  so  long  infested  the  vicinity  has 
been  badly  beaten  and  broken  up.    The  heavy  loss  of  the  ene- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  157 

my  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  proves  the  determination 
of  your  resistance  and  the  vigor  of  your  attack.  Deeds  like 
this  are  worthy  of  emulation,  and  give  strength  and  confidence 
to  the  command. 

By  command  of 

Ma  JOE- General  Stahel. 

Thorouglily  as  IVlosby  had  been  whipped  on  this 
occasion,  and  diminished  as  was  his  command,  it  was 
not  long  before  he  was  again  heard  from.  It  mnst  be 
confessed  that  he  possessed  remarkable  recnperative 
powers.  His  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  seemed  to 
attach  his  men  to  him  peculiarly,  while  his  mode  of 
warfare  was  calling  many  young  and  daring  Virgini- 
ans to  his  standard.  By  this  means  his  numbers  were 
soon  recruited^  and  he  was  again  on  the  rampage. 

At  this  time  the  government  was  sending  supplies 
to  the  army  on  the  Eappahannock  via  the  Orange 
and  Alexandria  Railroad.  Each  train  was  in  charge 
of  a  guard,  and  all  the  principal  bridges  and  exposed 
places  on  the  route  Vv^ere  under  pickets.  Besides  this, 
frequent  patrols  were  sent  from  one  picket  post  to  the 
other,  so  that  the  entire  road  was  under  a  close  sur- 
veillance. One  morning,  between  seven  and  eight 
o'clock,  the  cavalry  pickets  and  reserves  about  Cat- 
lett's  Station  were  startled  by  artillery  firing  just  be- 
low them  on  the  railroad.  A  train  laden  with  ra- 
tions and  forage  had  just  passed  on  its  way  to  the 
Rappahannock.  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  during 
the  night  the  guerillas  had  carefully  unfastened  one 
of  the  rails  in  the  woods,  and  by  means  of  a  wire 
attached  to  it  and  extended  to  some  distance  from  the 
road,  in  a  manner  to  be  unobserved  by  the  patrols,  a 


158       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

man  concealed  behind  a  tree  had  drawn  the  rail  out 
of  place  just  as  the  engine  was  approaching  it,  throw- 
ing it  off  the  track.  A  mountain  howitzer,  which  had 
been  placed  in  position,  immediately  plunged  a  shell 
through  the  engine,  and  at  the  same  time  a  charge 
was  made  upon  the  guard.  This  consisted  mostly  of 
men  whose  term  of  service  expired  tliat  very  day,  and 
their  resistance  amounted  to  nothing.  They  soon 
fled  in  shameful  confusion,  leaving  the  ground  to  the 
Rebels,  who,  after  taking  such  plunder  as  they  could 
carry,  fired  the  train,  and  then  started  on  the  road  to 
Haymarket. 

But  the  cavalry  had  been  aroused,  and  detach- 
ments of  the  First  Vermont  and  Fifth  New  York, 
each  in  separate  routes,  commenced  a  vigorous  pur- 
suit. Mosby,  who  commanded  in  person,  evidently 
had  not  reckoned  on  so  sudden  and  sharp  an  encoun- 
ter. He  had  not  proceeded  two  miles  before  he  espied 
the  boys  in  blue  eagerly  flying  after  him.  His  how- 
itzer was  quickly  brought  into  position,  and  a  shell 
was  accurately  thrown  among  his  pursuers,  suddenly 
dismounting  one  of  the  ofiicers,  whose  horse  was 
killed.  But  the  detention  of  the  column  was  only 
temporary,  the  boys  being  determined  once  more  to 
cross  sabres  with  the  chivalry.  The  nature  of  the 
ground  was  unfavorable  for  a  cavalry  charge,  and  the 
enemy  showed  no  disposition  to  fight,  but  fled  as  rap- 
idly as  possible,  firing  an  occasional  shell,  but  without 
inflicting  any  injury.  Eagerly  the  boys  spurred  on 
their  chargers,  and  were  soon  joined  by  the  Yer- 
monters,  who  added  fresh  excitement  to  the  chase. 

Mosby,  finding  himself  too  closely  followed  for  his 


TJiTee  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  159 


comfort,  and  knowing  that  something  desperate  must 
be  done,  determined  to  sell  his  howitzer  as  dearly  as 
possible.  Having  reached  the  head  of  a  narrow  lane, 
near  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Warren  Fitzhugh,  he  wheeled 
the  piece  into  position  and  commenced  a  rapid  fire. 
There  was  no  way  for  our  boys  to  reach  the  howitzer 
except  through  the  lane,  the  w^hole  length  of  which 
was  raked  by  every  discharge.  That  gun  must  be 
captured,"  exclaimed  Lieutenant  Elmer  J.  Barker, 
of  the  Fifth  New  York,  "  and  who  will  volnnteer  to 
charge  it  with  me?"  About  thirty  brave  fellows 
responded  promptly,  and  sidting  the  action  to  the 
words,  charge,  boys  !  "  he  rushed  furiously  forward 
at  their  head,  while  the  fields  rang  with  their  mad- 
dening yell.  But  the  brave  lieutenant  fell  severely 
wounded  before  a  murderous  discharge  of  grape  and 
canister,  which  killed  three  of  his  men  and  wounded 
several.  The  lieutenant's  faithful  horse  was  also 
mortally  wounded.  But  before  the  piece  could  be 
reloaded  with  its  only  one  remaining  shell,  the  sur- 
viving comrades  were  crossing  sabres  with  the  gun- 
ners over  the  gun.  The  conflict  here  was  desperate, 
but  of  short  duration.  Mosby's  lieutenant.  Chapman, 
fought  with  the  rammer  of  the  gun,  but  fell  wonnded 
and  was  captured.  At  length  those  who  could  not 
escape  surrendered,  and  the  howitzer  was  ours.  It 
bore  an  inscription  which  showed  that  it  had  been 
captured  by  the  Rebels  from  the  lamented  Colonel 
Baker,  at  BalFs  Bluff". 

Among  the  enemy's  wounded  and  captured  was 
a  Captain  Hoskins,  formerly  of  the  British  army,  who 
had  run  the  blockade  and  espoused  the  Rebel  cause. 


160       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


He  received  his  death-wound  as  follows  :  having 
wounded  a  private  soldier  in  a  hand-to-hand  encoun- 
ter, he  roughly  cried  out,  "  Surrender,  you  d  d 

Yankee  !  "  "  V\\  see  you  d  d  first,"  was  the  char- 
acteristic reply,  while  the  Yankee  boy  lodged  a  pistol 
ball  in  the  captain's  neck,  from  which  he  did  not  long 
survive.  An  interesting  diary  was  found  in  Captain 
Hoskins'  possession,  describing  mainly  his  private 
life  since  entering  Mosby's  command. 

Mos1)y  himself  barely  escaped  being  captured  on 
this  occasion,  and  he  carried  the  mark  of  a  sabre-cut 
on  his  arm.  The  fight  had  been  desperate  on  both 
sides,  but  the  guerillas  were  badly  worsted,  and 
driven  away  as  far  as  the  jaded  condition  of  our 
horses  would  permit  us  to  pursue  them.  In  their 
flight  the  spoils,  which  had  been  taken  from  the  cap- 
tured train,  were  left  behind,  strewn  in  every  direc- 
tion. This  fight  occurred  near  the  little  village  of 
Greenwich,  and  gave  Mosby  a  blov/  quite  as  severe 
as  any  he  had  ever  received. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CavaJ/ry.  161 


CHAPTEE  X. 


CHANCELLORSYILLE  AND  STOXEMAN'S  RAID. 


1S63.— Review  of  the  Army  by  the  President. — Deserters  Punish- 
ed.— Sports  and  Pastimes. — Stoneman's  First  Move. — Storm. — Re- 
connoissance  to  Warrenton. — Another  Move. — Other  Storms. — Catch- 
ing Rabbits." — Stoneman's  Great  Raid  on  Lee's  Communications. — 
On  the  Virginia  Central  Raih*oad. — Kilpatrick  at  Louisa  Court  House. 
— He  Marches  upon  Richmond.—Eold  Advance  near  the  City. — Im- 
portant Captures. — Retreat  over  Meadow  Bridge. — Destructions. — 
Bushwhackers.  —  Happy  Rencounter.  —  Safe  Arrival  at  Gloucester 
Point. — Public  Prints. — Battle  of  Chancellorsville. — Heroism  and  De- 
feat.— Stonewall  Jackson  Falls. — Hooker  Injured. — Retreat. — Orders. 


PEIL  1. — April-fool  day  always  brings  its  trains 


jLjL  of  fun  and  broods  of  annoyances,  tbe  boys  being 
determined  to  make  the  most  of  it.  The  usual  plan 
is  to  induce  a  comrade  to  believe  that  either  the 
colonel,  his  captain,  or  lieutenant,  wants  to  see  him. 
This  scheme  is  generally  successful ;  for  the  victim 
dare  not  refuse  to  report  whenever  called  for,  and  as 
he  is  unable  to  learn  whether  he  is  really  wanted  or 
otherwise,  he  finds  it  necessary  to  call  upon  his  supe- 
rior to  ask  his  pleasure.  Receiving  the  assurance 
that  nothing  is  wanted  of  him,  he  sees  that  he  has 
been  "  sold,"  and  returns  to  his  comrades  in  the  midst 
of  their  hilarity  at  his  expense.  But  he  is  generally 
determined  to  have  revenge,  and  to  get  the  "laugh" 
on  them  before  the  day  is  spent.    Sometimes  these 


162       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

jokes  are  carried  rather  too  far  for  sport,  and  recoil 
"apon  their  perpetrators  with  -unpleasant  force. 

But^  then,  this  soldier-life  of  ours  is  so  grave  and 
solemn  that  our  buoyant  natures  seek  relief  in  all 
snch  means  as  the  above.  The  bow,  always  bent  to 
its  utmost  tension,  would  soon  break  or  become  use- 
less; it  must  be  straightened  to  send  the  arrow.  So 
our  natures  would  break  were  they  not  elastic,  and 
were  there  no  opportunities  for  reaction  as  well  as 
action.  Then,  too,  there  is  a  kind  of  monotony  to 
our  life  in  winter- quarters,  to  which  it  is  difficult  to 
accustom  ourselves.  And  he  who  can  suggest  any 
thing  laughable  is  a  great  benefactor  to  his  comrades ; . 
for  then  the  monotony  is  broken,  and  we  enjoy  a 
little  sprinkling  of  variety,  which  is  truly  said  to  be 
the  spice  of  life."  A  good  joke,  that  runs  through 
the  command  like  a  bubbling  brook  along  the  flower- 
ing meadows,  is  worth  more  to  us  than  a  corps  of 
nurses  with  cart-loads  of  medicine. 

On  the  second  of  April,  from  nine  to  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  morniug,  we  had  a  mounted  brigade- 
drill.  Colonel  Kilpatrick  was  in  command.  He  ap- 
peared well  pleased,  at  the  close,  with  the  proficiency 
of  his  men,  and  they  are  all  enthusiastic  over  him. 
There  seems  to  be  a  wonderful  unanimity  of  feeling 
in  the  brigade,  all  regarding  Kilpatrick  as  the  right 
man  in  the  right  place. 

April  6. — To-day  the  Cavahy  Corps,  consisting 
of  twenty-five  regiments,  well  .filled  and  drilled,  was 
reviewed  by  President  Lincoln  and  Generals  Hooker 
and  Stoneman.  A  salute  of  twenty-one  guns  was 
fired  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Presidential  party.  The 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  163 

review  took  place  on  Falmouth  Heights,  in  full  view 
of  the  Rebel  encampment  in  rear  of  Fredericksburg. 
The  scene  we  presented  to  our  enemies  must  have 
been  grand,  for  we  appeared  in  our  best  uniforms  and 
with  flying  colors.  It  was  an  occasion  not  to  be  for- 
gotten, the  sight  bein^  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
many  of  us  ever  saw.  The  column  was  between 
three  and  four  hours  passing  in  review.  It  seemed  to 
do  us  all  good  to  get  a  glimpse  of  the  solemn,  earnest 
face  of  the  President,  who  reviewed  us  with  appa- 
rent satisfaction. 

April  7. — Picket  details  returned  from  the  river 
to-day.  In  the  afternoon  several  horse-races  came  off 
near  our  camp,  between  the  First  Pennsylvania,  the 
First  New  Jersey,  and  Harris  Light.  One  of  Kil- 
patrick's  favorite  horses  was  badly  beaten,  much  to 
his  mortification,  owing,  as  was  alleged,  to  the  stupid- 
ity of  the  rider,  who  was  sent  off  the  ground  in  dis- 
grace. "VVe  are  frequently  training  our  horses  for 
swift  motions,  and  teaching  them  to  jump  ditches  and 
fences.  These  are  occasions  of  excitement  and  amuse- 
ment. Men  are  frequently  thrown  from  their  horses 
while  endeavoring  to  jump  them  beyond  their  ability, 
though  seldom  is  any  one  hurt.  Much  practice  is 
necessary  to  make  perfect  in  this  exercise. 

The  papers  bring  us  good  news  of  a  "  Great 
Union  Victory  in  Connecticut."  Such  victories, 
though  bloodless,  have  a  powerful  influence  upon  the 
rank  and  file  of  the  army.  Every  ballot  cast  to  sus- 
tain the  administration  is  equal  to  a  well-directed  bul- 
let against  the  foe. 

April  8. — The  brigade  was  called  out  this  mo'rn- 
7* 


164:       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


ing  on  the  old  drill-ground  to  witness  a  somewhat  sad 
and  novel  scene,  namely,  the  branding  and  drumming 
out  of  service  of  two  deserters  from  Company  K. 
The  command  was  formed  into  a  hollow  square, 
facing  inward.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  blacksmith's 
forge,  the  deserters  were  partially  stripped  of  their 
clothing,  irons  were  heated,  and  the  letter  "  D  "  was 
burnt  upon  their  left  liip.  Their  heads  were  then 
shaved,  after  which  they  were  marched  about  the 
square  under  guard,  accompanied  by  a  corps  of  bu- 
glers playing  "  the  rogue's  march."  It  was  a  hu- 
miliating and  painful  sight,  and  undoubtedly  it  left 
its  salutary  impression,  as  it  was  designed,  upon  all 
who  witnessed  it.  A  deserter  should  be  regarded  as 
only  next  to  a  traitor,  and  when  the  military  law 
against  such  offenders  is  enforced  with  becoming 
rigor,  we  will  probably  have  fewer  infractions.  Tliis 
part  of  our  army  discipline  has  thus  far  been  evident- 
ly too  loosely  administered,  giving  occasion  for  de- 
moralization. 

In  the  afternoon  we  enjoyed  a  very  pleasing 
change  of  programme,  when  true  merit  was  reward- 
ed. A  beautiful  sabre  was  presented  by  the  oflScers 
of  the  brigade  to  Kilpatrick.  Affairs  of  this  kind 
are  much  enjoyed  by  the  major  part  of  the  command  ; 
and  when  night  came  on  we  all  felt  that  to-day,  at 
least,  we  have  learned  that  the  way  of  the  trans- 
gressor is  hard,"  and  also  that 

Good  actions  crown  themselves  with  lasting  days ; 
Who  deserves  well  needs  not  another's  praise." 

April  9. — To  increase  the  variety  of  our  expert- 
ence,  and  to  give  it  a  pleasing  tone,  Kilpatrick's  bri- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  165 

gade-band  made  its  iBrst  appearance  in  front  of  head- 
quarters this  evening.  They  discoursed  national  airs 
in  a  manner  that  thrilled  and  elated  us,  making  the 
welkin  ring  with  their  excellent  music.  As  the  last 
echoes  of  a  plaintive  air  died  over  the  distant  woods, 
and  I  crept  into  my  lowly  quarters  for  my  rest,  the 
poet's  verse  seemed  full  of  hallowed  potency : 

*'  Music  exalts  each,  joy,  allays  each  grief, 
Expels  diseases,  softens  every  pain. 
Subdues  the  rage  of  poison  and  of  plague." 

April  11. — An  exciting  game  of  base-ball  "  was 
played  to-day  near  our  camp,  between  boys  of  the 
Fourteenth  Brooklyn  and  the  Harris  Light.  The 
contest  resulted  in  a  drawn  game,  so  that  neither 
could  claim  the  victory.  Our  time,  of  late,  is  slip- 
ping rapidly  along.  The  weather  is  warm  and  beau- 
tiful, the  mud  is  disappearing,  and  flowers  and  birds 
remind  us  that  winter  is  over  and  gone. 

For  several  weeks  preparations  have  been  evident- 
ly made  for  the  opening  of  the  Spring  campaign. 
Each  branch  of  the  service  has  been  thoroughly  re- 
cruited and  drilled,  and  the  entire  force  is  computed 
to  be  at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand 
strong.  All  seem  to  be  anxious  for  a  good  oppor- 
tunity to  advance  upon  the  enemy. 

April  13. — On  the  evening  of  the  twelfth,  at  reg- 
imental inspection,  orders  were  received  to  be  ready 
for  march  at  daylight  the  next  day.  Consequently, 
early  this  morning  our  winter-quarters  were  aban- 
doned, and  General  Stoneman,  at  the  head  of  about 
thirteen  thousand  cavalry,  took  up  a  line  of  march  in 
the  direction  of  the  upper  fords  of  theEappahannock, 


166       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

in  the  neighborliood  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
Railroad. 

General  Hooker's  order  to  his  cavalry-chief  had 
the  ring  of  bright  metal  in  it,  and  contained  the  fol- 
lowing terse  sentences : 

"  Let  your  watchword  be  fight,  and  let  all  your 
orders  be  fight !  tight  !  FIGHT !  bearing  in  mind 
that  time  is  as  valuable  to  the  Federal  as  the  Rebel 
authorities. 

"  It  devolves  upon  you.  General,  to  take  the  initia- 
tive in  the  forward  movement  of  this  grand  army ; 
and  on  you  and  your  noble  command  must  depend, 
in  a  great  measure,  the  'extent  and  brilliancy  of  our 
success.  Bear  in  mind  that  celerity,  audacity,  and 
resolution  are  every  thing  in  war  ;  and  especially  is  it 
the  case  with  the  command  you  have,  and  the  enter- 
prise on  which  you  are  about  to  embark." 

We  moved  at  a  sufiicient  distance  from  the  Rap- 
pahannock to  screen  our  columns  from  the  enemy's 
posts  of  observation.  We  marched  to  the  vicinity  of 
Elkton,  where  we  bivouacked  for  the  night.  The 
next  morning  we  resumed  our  march,  and  soon  struck 
the  railroad  at  Bealeton,  where  we  met  and  drove  a 
detachment  of  Rebel  cavalry.  After  a  sharp  skirmish 
they  fell  back  to  Beverly  Ford,  where  their  crossing 
was  covered  by  artillery  and  sharpshooters.  A  neat 
little  fight  enabled  us  to  advance  carbineers  down  to 
the  ford,  which  we  held,  though  subjected  to  the  fire 
of  rifled  cannon  on  the  opposite  bank. 

At  another  of  the  numerous  fords  of  the  river 
(Sulphur  Springs),  which  was  not  guarded,  an  entire 
division  was  forded  across  before  night.    But  during 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  167 

the  night  a  heavy  rain-storm  set  in  d  la  Virginie^ 
which  so  suddenly  raised  the  stream,  that  the  order 
for  crossing  more  troops  was  not  only  countermanded, 
but  the  forces  already  across  were  ordered  to  return. 
This  was  not  very  easily  done.  Meanwhile  the  sepa- 
rated division,  by  rapid  movement  and  some  fighting 
through  the  rain,  had  swung  down  the  river  to  Bev- 
erly Ford,  where  they  commenced  recrossing,  without 
pontoons,  and  with  the  ford  unfordable.  The  enemy, 
taking  advantage  of  this  unhappy  predicament,  at- 
tacked the  rearguard  with  furious  determination, 
killing  and  capturing  quite  a  number.  As  our  artil- 
lery could  not  be  brought  into  position,  the  only  help 
we  could  afford  to  our  unfortunate  comrades  was  to 
play  on  the  Eebels  with  our  carbines,  which  kept 
them  somewhat  at  bay.  In  the  haste  and  difficulty 
of  crossing,  where  horses  were  compelled  to  swim  a 
considerable  distance  through  the  strong  current,  sev- 
eral animals  and  men  were  drowned  and  borne  down 
the  stream.  It  was  certainly  a  very  sad  experience — 
a  disheartening  commencement  of  operations. 

April  16. — The  Harris  Light  was  relieved  from 
picket,  and  moved  to  Bealeton,  leaving  Beverly  Ford 
at  four  o'clock  a.  m.  The  roads  are  almost  impassa- 
ble. The  rain  has  continued  almost  uninterruptedly 
for  forty-eight  hours,  making  our  sojourn  in  these 
parts  very  disagreeable.  But,  notwithstanding  the 
mud,  on  the  seventeenth  a  squadron  of  the  Harris 
Light,  composed  of  Companies  E  and  F,  in  command 
of  Captain  Charles  Hasty,  left  our  bivouac  at  Beale- 
ton, early  in  the  morning,  with  instructions  to  pro- 
ceed to  Warrenton,  and,  if  possible,  to  occupy  the 


168       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

place  until  four  o'clock  p.  m.  When  we  had  ap- 
proached to  within  three  miles  of  the  place  the  Cap- 
tain learned  that  the  famous  Black  Horse  Cavalry, 
under  Captain  Randolph,  was  in  possession  of  the 
village,  and  w^ould  undoubtedly  give  us  a  splendid 
entertainment. 

The  boys  were  unanimously  pleased  at  the  pros- 
pect of  an  opportunity  to  cross  sabres  with  those  he- 
roes of  Bull  Run,  and,  concluding  from  their  world- 
wide reputation  that  nothing  short  of  a  desperate 
fight  would  ensue,  we  made  preparations  accordingly. 
The  squadron  was  formed  in  column  of  platoons,  and 
two  detachments,  consisting  each  of  a  sergeant  and 
eight  men,  w^ere  instructed  to  advance  upon  the  town 
from  two  parallel  streets,  thus  giving  our  small  force 
the  appearance  of  being  only  the  vanguard  of  a  very 
large  army. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  command  one  of  these  de- 
tachments ;  and,  on  entering  the  village,  we  found 
the  foe  formed  into  line  of  battle  on  Main  street,  with 
the  apparent  intention  of  giving  us  a  warm  reception. 
They  had  been  notified  of  our  approach  by  a  sentinel 
posted  in  a  prominent  church-steeple,  and  were,  there- 
fore, ready  for  us.  We  immediately  drew  sabres  and 
bore  down  upon  them  with  the  usual  yell ;  and, 
strange  as  it  may  seem  to  those  who  laud  the  daring 
of  the  Southern  Black  Horse,  they  advanced  to  re* 
ceive  us,  fired  a  few  shots,  unsheathed  their  bloodless 
sabres,  but  wheeled  about  suddenly  and  dashed  away 
to  the  rear  at  a  break-neck  pace,  without  even  halt- 
ing to  pay  us  the  compliment  of  an  affectionate  fare- 
well.   Actually  it  seemed  as  though  they  did  not 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  169 

60  much  as  look  beliind  tliem  until  fairly  out  of  the 
range  of  our  best  carbines.  It  was  quite  evident  to 
us  that  they  agreed  perfectly  with  that  most  ungal- 
lant  poet,  who  sings : 

He  who  fights  and  runs  away, 
Will  live  to  fight  another  day." 

The  beautiful  and  aristocratic  village  was  now  in 
our  possession.  Being  informed  that  the  proprietor 
of  the  Warrenton  House  was  a  conspicuous  Kebel, 
Captain  Hasty  decided  to  try  his  hospitality  and 
sound  his  commissary  department.  Accordingly  he 
accosted  the  chivalrous  gentleman,  and  ordered  a  din- 
ner for  the  entire  squadron.  When  all  had  partaken 
freely  of  the  good  things  provided,  our  Rebel  land- 
lord showed  signs  of  uneasiness  in  his  desire  to  ascer- 
tain who  would  foot  the  bill.  After  a  while  the  Cap- 
tain politely  directed  him  to  charge  it  to  Uncle  Sam. 
This  ended  all  controversy  on  the  subject.  "We  left 
Warrenton  in  accordance  with  instructions,  at  four 
o'clock,  and,  w^ell  satisfied  with  our  excursion,  re- 
joined the  regiment  during  the  following  night. 

April  18. — The  enemy  opened  the  ball "  this 
morning  by  shelling  the  cavalry  pickets  in  the  woods 
near  Rappahannock  Station.  Under  this  fire  we  ad- 
vanced some  distance  toward  the  river,  and  then  re- 
tired slowly  with  a  view  of  drawing  the  Rebels  across 
to  our  side.  But  they  were  too  wily  to  be  caught  in 
such  a  trap,  and  our  attempt  failed.  A  stream  is  a 
great  barrier  between  two  contending  forces,  and  no 
careful  leader  will  place  his  men  with  a  stream  behind 
them,  unless  he  is  quite  certain  of  victory.  We  had 
a  sad  lesson  of  this  in  the  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff. 


170       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

On  the  clay  following  this  useless  cannonade,  each 
regiment  of  the  corps  had  dress-parade  at  six  o'clock 
p.  M.  Orders  from  General  Stoneman  were  read  by 
the  adjutants  of  their  respective  regiments,  informing 
them  that  the  entire  cavalry  force  would  move  at  an 
early  hour  next  day.  A  portion  of  the  evening  was 
spent  in  preparation.  However,  when  in  the  biv- 
ouac, as  we  have  been  for  some  time,  it  takes  but  a 
few  moments  to  prepare  for  a  move.  All  surplus 
baggage,  which  naturally  accumulates  during  winter- 
quarters,  has  been  disposed  of,  either  by  sending  it 
home,  or  to  some  quartermaster  depot,  established  for 
the  purpose,  as  at  Alexandria,  or  by  destruction  ;  and 
each  man  carries  only  what  little  articles  he  can  stow 
away  in  his  saddle-bags  and  roll  up  in  his  blanket. 
His  inventory  might  run  as  follows :  A  shirt,  a  pair 
of  socks  (and  often  he  has  only  those  he  wears),  a 
housewife  or  needle-book,  paper  and  envelopes,  a  tin 
cup,  and  bag  which  contains  his  coffee  and  sugar 
mixed  together.  Some  men  carry  a  towel  and  soap. 
The  great  effort  is  to  learn  to  get  along  with  the  very 
least  possible. 

At  first  the  soldier  thinks  he  must  have  this  article 
of  luxury  and  the  other,  until  he  finds  that  they  are 
positive  burdens  to  himself  and  horse,  and  gradually 
he  throws  off  this  weight  and  that  incumbrance,  until 
his  entire  outfit  is  reduced  to  nearly  "  the  little  end 
of  nothing,  whittled  to  a  point !  "  Possessed  of  a 
coffee-bag  and  cup  and  a  hard-tack  or  biscuit,  the 
most  essential  things,  he  seldom  now  borrows  much 
trouble  about  the  rest  of  men  and  things. 

Ajpril  20. — We  commenced  march  at  four  o'clock 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  171 

this  morning  on  the  road  to  Sulphur  Springs.  Scarce- 
ly had  we  gone  out  of  our  bivouacs  before  a  drench- 
ing rain-storm  set  in,  and  continued  incessantly  until 
we  were  forced  to  halt,  the  mud  being  really  oceanic. 
The  day  being  quite  warm,  we  experienced  but  little 
discomfort  from  the  wet  until  night.  The  weather 
then  became  cold,  and  every  thing  being  so  wet,  it 
was  difficult  to  make  fires ;  consequently  we  had  a 
very  tedious  night.  A  fellow  considered  himself  for- 
tunate, if,  after  toiling  long  through  the  cold  and 
dark,  he  could  succeed  to  cook  a  little  coffee.  But 
the  soldier  will  have  his  coffee,  if  it  be  possible,  and 
then  he  is  quite  contented  with  his  lot. 

On  the  twenty-first,  all  we  could  do  was  to  change  * 
our  position,  to  get  out  of  the  very  deep  mud,  which 
one  night's  treading  of  the  horses'  feet  produced.  On 
the  following  day  in  the  afternoon  the  Cavalry  Corps 
moved  from  Waterloo  Bridge  to  Warrenton  Junction. 
The  day  was  pleasant,  though  the  roads  are  still  in  a 
fearful  condition.  Our  infantry  is  engaged  in  repair- 
ing the  railroad  to  Rappahannock  Station.  We  are 
evidently  on  the  eve  of  some  important  movements. 

Before  night,  many  of  the  boys  were  made  glad  by 
the  reception  of  a  large  mail  from  the  North,  which 
is  the  first  we  have  received  since  we  left  our  winter- 
quarters  on  the  thirteenth  instant.  Nearly  every  man 
had  a  letter,  and  there  was  general  contentment  all 
around.  The  mail-bag  is  always  a  welcome  visitor, 
especially  in  times  like  this,  and  it  is  not  the  least  of 
the  instrumentalities  which  mould  our  character  and 
give  tone  to  our  morale. 

April  23. — Another  drenching  rain  set  in  this 


172        Three  Years  m  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

morning  and  continued  without  cessation  tlirougliont 
the  day.  We  were  all  drowned  out  of  onr  little 
shelter-tents,  and  many  preferred  to  take  the  chastise- 
ment face  to  face  with  the  merciless  elements.  We 
were  a  sorry  looking  company  of  men,  drenched  Vv^ith 
the  rain,  bespattered  with  mud,  and  chilled  with  the 
cold.  Our  fires,  well-nigh  quenched  by  the  falling 
floods,  were  of  very  little  use  to  us.  Men  and  horses 
all  suffered  together.  Thus  far  the  month  has  been 
very  wet,  and  this  April  is  certainly  entitled  to  be 
classed  among  the  Weeping  Sisters. 

We  spent  the  dreary  night  hoping  for  a  better 
morrow.  But  the  twenty-fourth  followed  the  example 
of  its  predecessor,  and  rain  poured  upon  us  in  torrents. 

The  yielding  clay  of  this  region  of  country  is  soon 
trodden  into  a  soft  mud,  under  so  many  hoofs,  until 
it  seems  quite  impossible  to  find  a  dry  spot  large 
enough  to  lie  down  upon  at  night.  This  makes  our 
bivouacs  very  dreary  and  uncomfortable.  And  yet 
under  these  melancholy  circumstances  we  are  not 
totally  bereft  of  pleasant  entertainment.  The  woods 
and  fields  in  this  vicinity  abound  with  quails  and 
rabbits,  whose  presence  has  been  the  cause  of  some 
excitement  and  not  a  little  fun. 

Ever  and  anon  a  sportive  cavalier  starts  up  a 
nimble  rabbit  and  chases  the  frightened  little  creature 
through  the  camp,  crying  at  the  top  of  his  voice, 
stop  him  !  stop  him  !  catch  that  rabbit,"  etc.  Poor 
pussy  comes  flying  down  the  road,  pursued  by  a 
throng  of  men,  while  the  shouts  are  caught  up  and 
repeated  along  the  entire  line  of  escape,  men  jumping 
up  at  every  bound  of  the  animal,  and  joining  in  the 


THE  mmi 

Of  THE 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  175 

sport.  Occasionally  the  rabbit  is  so  perfectly  sur- 
rounded as  to  be  compelled  at  last  to  surrender,  wlien 
the  trembling  prisoner  is  caught,  but  carefully  treated. 
At  this  time  of  the  year  they  are  so  very  small  and 
lean  as  to  be  scarcely  eatable,  and  yet  now  and  then 
they  are  shot,  as  well  as  quails,  to  increase  our  com- 
missary supplies,  and  the  cooks  display  considerable 
skill  in  dressing  and  preparing  them  d  la  Delmonico. 

Ajpril  27. — Colonel  Davies,  after  quite  a  lengthy 
absence  from  us,  rejoined  the  regiment  at  ten  o'clock 
A.M.  He  reported  having  a  narrow  escape  from 
guerillas  near  Elkton,  where  he  was  fired  at  and  pur- 
sued for  some  distance,  while  on  bis  way  from  Fal- 
mouth. Details  were  ordered  out  immediately  to 
those  infested  regions,  with  instructions  to  capture 
every  thing  in  the  shape  of  a  bushwhacker.  Captain 
Coon,  of  the  Connecticut  squadron,  was  put  in  com- 
mand of  the  reconnoitring  party.  We  had  a  rich 
and  delightful  ride,  but  did  not  succeed  in  overhaul- 
ing the  offenders. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  the  first  battalion  of  the 
Harris  Light,  commanded  by  Captain  Samuel  Mc- 
Irvin,  was  ordered  to  reconnoitre  as  far  as  Brentsville. 
We  went  via  Elkton  and  Bristerburg,  at  which  places 
we  captured  several  guerillas,  who  were  not  looking 
for  us.  The  first  part  of  the  day  was  very  pleasant, 
but  from  eleven  o'clock  till  night  we  had  a  continual- 
ly drizzling  rain,  which  made  our  march  exceedingly 
disagreeable. 

We  had  but  just  halted  for  the  night,  when  an 
order  was  received  from  a  messenger,  to  rejoin  the 
regiment  without  delay.     Through  the  rain,  mud, 


176       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

and  darkness  we  hastened  back  to  Catlett's  Station, 
where  we  found  every  thing  in  motion,  preparing  foi 
some  grand  movement. 

With  the  gray  light  of  the  morning  of  the  twenty- 
ninth,  -after  marching  most  of  the  night,  we  reached 
the  banks  of  the  Rappahannock  at  Kelly's  Ford. 
In  addition  to  the  Cavalry  Corps  we  found  here  the 
Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  and  Twelfth  Corps  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  making  preparation  to  cross  the  river. 
The  Engineer  Corps  soon  laid  the  pontoons,  and  the 
grand  columns  effected  a  passage  without  material 
resistance  or  difficulty. 

STONEMAN'S  RAID. 

We  are  credibly  informed  that  other  columns  of 
our  army  are  crossing  the  river  at  other  points,  and 
that  a  great  battle  is  imminent.  There  has  been  oc-_ 
casional  skirmishing,  on  the  front,  during  the  day. 
The  Rebels,  however,  seem  to  have  been  taken  wholly 
by  surprise  and  are  not  making  the  demonstrations  we 
had  good  reason  to  anticipate ;  but  we  shall  be  greatly 
disappointed  if  they  do  not  soon  awake,  and  come  to 
their  work. 

The  going  is  far  from  pleasant,  though  to-day  the 
weather  is  favorable.  The  streams  are  dreadfully 
swollen  and  nearly  all  bridgeless,  compelling  us  to 
ford  them.  This  process,  through  the  cold,  high 
water,  is  attended  with  more  or  less  difficulty  and  suf- 
fering. 

Soon  after  crossing  the  river  the  Cavalry  Corps 
broke  away  from  the  infantry,  in  the  direction  of 
Stevensburg ;  and  it  is  rumored  among  us  that  a  grand 


Three  Years  in  the  Fedei'ol  Cavahy.  177 


raid  upon  the  enemy's  communications  is  contem- 
plated, while  the  tw  o  armies  engage  in  deadly  combat, 
it  is  thought  not  far  from  the  river. 

April  30. — This  afternoon  our  column  reached  the 
Rapidan  at  Raccoon  Ford,  and  began  to  cross  over. 
The  water  being  much  above  ,  the  fording  mark  and 
very  rapid,  we  had  an  exciting  time.  Several  horses 
and  men  were  swept  down  the  stream  by  the  swift 
current  and  were  drowned ;  and  none  of  us  escaped 
the  unpleasant  operation  of  getting  wet. 

After  reaching  the  high  plateau  on  the  south  bank 
of  the  river,  the  entire  corps  were  formed  in  line  of 
battle,  in  which  hostile  position  we  w^ere  ordered  to 
spend  the  night.  For  more  thorough  protection,  pick- 
ets had  been  sent  out  in  every  direction,  and  posted 
with  much  care.  It  was  a  season  of  considerable 
anxiety  to  all,  and  of  great  fatigue  especially  to  those 
of  us  who  had  been  in  the  saddle  several  consecutive 
days  and  nights.  Standing  to  horse  as  we  were  com- 
pelled to  do,  very  little  rest  could  be  obtained,  though 
many  were  so  exhausted,  that,  dropping  to  the  earth, 
with  bridle  and  halter  in  hand,  they  fell  asleep,  while 
their  comrades  wished  for  the  morning,  which  came 
at  last. 

After  our  frugal  breakfast,  which  consisted  mostly 
of  hard-tack  and  coffee,  a  thorough  inspection  of  the 
command  was  made,  and  all  men  reported  to  have 
unserviceable  or  unsafe  horses,  were  sent  to  the  rear. 
The  weather  is  perfectly  charming  to-day,  although 
quite  too  w^arm,  in  the  midday  heat,  to  be  comfortable 
marching. 

May  2. — Early  in  the  morning  our  column  reached 


178 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


the  railroad,  in  the  rear  of  General  Lee's  army,  and, 
with  slight  opposition  from  scattered  pickets,  the  work 
of  destruction  began.  Culverts  and  bridges,  telegraph 
lines  and  posts,  disappeared  like  the  smoke  of  their 
burning. 

KILPATRIOK  AT  LOUISA  COURT  HOUSE. 

While  this  work  was  going  on,  Kilpatrick  was  or- 
dered to  lead  the  Harris  Light  into  Louisa  Conrt 
House,  which  he  did  in  a  gallant  manner.  The  in- 
habitants, taken  by  surprise,  were  greatly  terrified  at 
our  approach  and  entry  into  the  place,  but  finding 
themselves  in  the  hands  of  men,  and  not  fiends, 

they  had  been  wont  to  regard  us,  and  receiving 
from  us  neither  disrespect  nor  insult,  soon  dispelled 
their  needless  fears.  We  remained  in  town  until  two 
o'clock  p.  M.,  tearing  up  railroad  track  and  destroying 
railroad  property,  as  well  as  commissary  and  quarter- 
master stores  found  in  public  buildings. 

At  the  hour  above  named  we  were  ordered  out  to 
support  the  First  Maine  Cavalry  in  a  spirited  skir- 
mish with  Rebel  cavalry.  In  this  engagement  our 
Troy  company  had  one  sergeant  w^ounded,  and  one 
corporal  and  four  men  taken  prisoners. 

By  eleven  o'clock  at  night  General  Stoneman's 
forces  had  reached  the  neighborhood  of  Thompson's 
Cross  Roads,  where  the  command  was  broken  up  into 
several  independent  expeditions  to  scour  the  country 
in  every  direction,  and  to  destroy  as  completely  as 
possible  all  the  enemy's  means  of  supply.  Colonel 
Percy  Wyndham,  with  the  First  IsTew  Jersey  and 
First  Maine,  was  sent  south  to  Columbia  on  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  179 

James  Eiver,  to  destroy  the  great  canal  which  feeds 
Eichmond  from  the  west.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Davis, 
with  the  Twelfth  Illinois,  was  despatched  to  the  South 
Anna  Eiver,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ashland  Station, 
on  the  Fredericksburg  and  Richmond  Railroad,  to 
destroy  the  important  bridges  in  that  vicinity.  Gen- 
eral Buford  was  to  march  westward  and  do  all  the 
mischief  he  could.  But  it  was  reserved  to  Kilpatrick 
to  advance  upon  Eichmond,  enter  the  Eebel  capital, 
if  possible,  and  lay  waste  the  public  property  and 
communications  there. 

Sunday^  May  3. — We  marched  steadily  after 
leaving  General  Stoneman,  long  into  the  night,  halt- 
ing only  long  enough  for  a  little  refreshment  and  rest. 
At  two  o'clock  this  afternoon  the  command,  which 
consists  only  of  about  three  hundred  men,  well 
mounted,  was  marched  into  a  pine  thicket,  Avhere  we 
were  ordered  to  destroy  or  thi'ow  away  all  our  extra 
clothing  and  blankets,  with  every  thing  which  we 
could  possibly  spare,  to  lighten  the  burdens  of  our 
horses.  This  halt  in  the  shade  of  the  pines  was  very 
refreshing  both  to  men  and  beasts.  The  sun  is  very 
warm  and  shelter  is  very  agreeable. 

Leaving  the  fragrant  shade,  we  moved  on  until 
night.  We  are  now  within  fifteen  miles  of  Eichmond, 
where  vigilance  is  the  price,  not  only  of  liberty,  but 
of  life.  Sergeant  Northrup,  while  on  a  scout  to  the 
front,  was  fired  upon  by  a  guerilla  undoubtedly,  and 
wounded.  Colonel  Kilpatrick  and  Major  Henry  E. 
Davies,  Jr.,  slept  on  their  arms  in  the  road  with  the 
men.  Very  little  sleep  was  had  through  the  night, 
but  what  we  did  get  was  precious. 


180        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

At  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  fourth  we 
resumed  our  hazardous  journey  toward  the  rebellious 
city.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  intrepidity  of  our 
leader,  and  the  utmost  confidence  of  the  men  in  his 
ability  to  accomplish  whatever  he  undertook,  it  would 
have  been  impossible  to  proceed.  Fearing  as  we  did 
the  desolation  and  sorrows  of  Libby  Prison/'  igno- 
rant of  the  forces  we  might  soon  encounter,  and  the 
ambuscades  that  might  be  laid  for  us,  we  nevertheless 
pushed  bravely  on,  because  we  were  bound  to  follow 
our  chief,  be  the  consequences  what  they  might. 

Soon  after  day-break  we  came  down  upon  Hun- 
gary Station,  on  the  Fredericksburg  and  Bichmond 
Railroad.  Here  we  destroyed  the  telegraph  lines, 
tore  up  the  track,  and  burned  the  depot.  ITear  the 
station  we  ran  into  the  enemy's  pickets,  the  first  we 
have  encountered  since  leaving  our  main  column. 
Only  two  of  them  were  discovered,  and  they  fled  so 
rapidly  that  it  was  useless  for  us  to  try  to  overtake 
them  with  our  jaded  horses.  They  kept  generally 
about  three  hundred  yards  ahead  of  us,  and  as  we  had 
orders  to  fire  on  no  one  imless  positively  necessary, 
they  proceeded  unmolested,  in  the  direction  of  Rich- 
mond. 

Having  arrived  within  five  miles  of  the  city,  we 
advanced  more  cautiously.  There  was  good  reason 
for  this,  for  our  condition  was  critical.  There  we 
w^ere,  only  a  remnant  of  a  regiment,  many  miles 
away  from  any  support,  with  no  way  to  retreat,  as  we 
had  burned  all  the  bridges  and  ferries  in  our  rear, 
nearer  to  the  Confederate  capital  than  ever  any  Union 
troops  were  before,  and  ignorant  of  the  forces  that 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  181 


garrisoned  it.  Still  on  we  moved,  looking  only  to 
our  leader,  who  seemed  es^oeciallj  inspired  for  the 
work  assigned  him. 

We  soon  arrived  in  sight  of  the  outer  line  of  for- 
tifications, and  moved  steadily  upon  them.  To  our 
surprise,  we  found  them  unmanned,  and  we  safely 
passed  in  towards  the  second  line  of  defence.  We 
had  scarcely  entered  these  consecrated  grounds,  when 
General  Winder's  assistant  adjutant-general  pomp- 
ously rode  up  to  the  head  of  our  column,  and  in- 
quired, What  regiment  ?  "  Astonishment  and  blight 
accompanied  the  answer  of  Kilpatrick,  who  said, 
"  The  Second  New  York  Cavalry,"  adding,  and  you, 
sir,  are  my  prisoner."  Ceremonies  were  short,  and 
Kilpatrick  very  quickly  appropriated  Winders  favor- 
ite charger,  upon  which  the  captured  adjutant  waa 
mounted  when  he  made  his  fatal  challenge. 

We  continued /Still  to  advance,  until  the  smoke 
from  Vv^orksliops,  and  the  church  steeples  were  plainly 
visible,  and  we  began  to  think  that  we  were  about  to 
enter  Richmond  w^ithout  opposition.  We  were  now 
within  tivo  miles  of  the  city,  and  yet  we  halted  not 
until  we  had  reached  the  top  of  a  hillock  just  before 
us.  Here  was  an  interesting  scene.  There  stood  a 
handful  of  cavalrymen,  far  within  the  fortifications 
of  a  hostile  city,  almost  knocking  at  the  door  of 
her  rebellious  heart.  On  every  hand  were  frowning 
earthworks,  and  just  ahead  of  us  the  coveted  prize. 

But  just  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  which  we  stood, 
we  discovered  a  battery  of  artillery,  drawn  up  in  the 
road,  supported  by  infantry,  ready  to  receive  us.  It 
became  evident  that  we  had  advanced  as  far  as  pni- 
8 


182       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

dence  would  permit  ns.  We  had  also  reached  and 
secured  the  road  to  the  Meadow  Bridge  across  the 
Chickahominy,  over  which  we  were  expected  to  es- 
cape, and  which  it  was  very  desirable  to  destroy. 
These  facts  or  circumstances  decided  the  direction  of 
onr  march.  We  moved  leisurely  on  our  way,  the 
cavalry  refusing  to  give  us  even  the  semblance  of  a 
pursuit. 

Having  crossed  Meadow  Bridge,  it  was  set  on  fire. 
Following  the  railroad  a  little  distance,  a  train  of  cars 
was  met  and  captured,  much  to  the  astonishment  of 
the  bewildered  conductor,  who  was  in  charge  of  gov- 
ernment stores  en  route  for  Richmond.  After  firing 
the  cars,  the  engine  was  set  in  motion  under  a  full 
head  of  steam,  and  the  blazing  and  crackling  freight 
went  rushing  on  until  it  reached  the  burning  bridge, 
when  th_e  whole  thing  well-nigh  disappeared  in  the 
deep  mnd  and  water  of  the  sluggish  stream. 

No  particular  line  of  escape  seemed  to  have  been 
agreed  upon.  Our  main  object  was  to  do  all  the 
mischief  in  our  power  to  the  Eebel  cause.  The  men 
were  much  exhausted  for  want  of  rations  and  rest, 
but  you  could  not  hear  a  word  of  complaint  from  one 
of  them.  They  were  all  inspired  with  the  greatness 
of  the  deeds  which  they  were  required  to  perform, 
feeling  much  as  Napoleon's  legions  must  have  felt, 
when  he  said  to  them  :  "  The  eyes  of  all  Europe  are 
upon  you."  Sustained  by  such  considerations,  and 
cheered  by  the  voice  and  still  more  potent  example 
of  their  leader,  they  pressed  onward,  resolved  to  do 
all  within  their  power,  and  then,  if  the  worst  came, 
they  could  go  to  "  Libby "  or     Belle  Isle,"  with 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  183 

the  pleasing  consciousness  that  they  had  done  their 
duty. 

All  night  ^Ye  marched  with  only  an  occasional  and 
brief  rest.  On  the  morning  of  the  fifth  we  arrived  at 
the  Pamunkey  Eiver.  Here  w^e  captured  a  Rebel 
train  laden  with  commissary  stores,  just  the  prize  we 
coveted.  After  appropriating  a  generous  supply  for 
the  day,  the  remnant  was  reduced  to  ashes.  All  the 
serviceable  animals  captured  were  added  to  our  caval- 
cade, and  the  prisoners  paroled  and  sent  on  their  way 
rejoicing.  The  river  was  crossed  on  a  one-horse  plat- 
form ferry-boat,  whose  capacity  was  only  twenty 
horses  and  their  riders.  Considerable  precious  time 
was  consumed  in  this  tedious  operation.  When  the 
last  man  had  reached  the  desired  shore,  the  ferry-boat 
was  destroyed,  and  the  column  resumed  its  line  of 
march. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  cold  rain- 
storm set  in,  borne  on  the  flapping  wings  of  a  chilly 
wind.  Cold,  hungry,  and  fatigued,  we  still  pressed 
onward,  sufi'ering  not  a  little.  Fearful  of  encounter- 
ing heavy  forces  of  the  enemy  on  the  main  thorough- 
fares, we  filed  along  the  by-ways  and  neglected  paths, 
where  we  were  frequently  immersed  in  almost  im- 
penetrable bushes  dripping  with  rain. 

May  6. — To-day  we  crossed  the  Mattapony,  at 
Aylett's,  burning  the  ferry  behind  us.  We  then  took 
the  road  to  Tappahannock,  a  small  village  on  the 
Rappahannock.  We  had  not  proceeded  far  in  this 
direction  before  we  met  and  captured  another  wagon- 
train,  laden  with  ham  and  eggs  and  other  luxuries, 
which  had  been  smuggled  across  the  Rappahannock. 


184       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

This,  of  course,  was  tlioroughly  confiscated,  appropri- 
ated, and  destroyed.  A  consultation  of  officers  was 
here  instituted,  and  it  was  decided  to  try  to  reach 
Gloucester  Point,  opposite  Yorktown,  which  w^e  knew 
was  in  possession  of  Union  forces. 

Not  far  from  King  and  Queen  Court  House  we 
captured  and  burned  a  depot  of  ordnance  and  several 
wagons.  We  have  been  much  annoyed  by  bush- 
whackers on  the  way  to-day.  Their  plan  is  to  hide 
in  the  thick  bushes,  and  tire  upon  the  rear  of  our 
column  as  we  pass,  in  places  where  it  is  not  possible 
to  pursue  them  without  much  loss  of  time,  which  is 
too  precious  to  be  wasted  thus.  Several  men  and 
horses  have  been  wounded  by  these  skulkers  during 
the  day.  As  night  was  settling  down  upon  us,  we 
discovered  a  body  of  cavalry  in  our  front,  and  quickly 
made  preparations  to  meet  them.  Kilpatrick  deploy- 
ed skirmishers  and  advanced  in  column  of  squadrons. 
Our  supposed  enemies  were  also  prepared  for  fight, 
and  a  spirited  confiict  was  anticipated.  Several  shots 
were  exchanged,  when  the  contending  parties  dis- 
covered their  mutual  mistake.  Our  opponents  proved 
to  be  the  Twelfth  Illinois,  w^hich,  after  leaving  the  main 
column  at  Thompson's  Cross  Roads,  had  swept  down 
through  the  enemy's  communications  about  Ashland 
Station,  destroyed  several  important  bridges  and  some 
stores,  and  was  now,  like  ourselves,  endeavoring  to 
reach  Gloucester  Point. 

This  rencounter  was  very  pleasing.  Our  column 
was  greatly  increased  and  encouraged.  We  needed 
this  stimulus  exceedingly,  for  we  had  been  marching 
all  day  through  a  cold  drizzling  rain,  which  had 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  185 


dampened  our  ardor  somewhat,  and  chilled  our  blood. 
Many  of  our  horses  had  given  out  by  the  way,  and 
were  killed  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  enemy's 
hands.  A  few  days  of  rest  and  care  will  so  recruit 
such  horses  that  they  become  again  serviceable.  Their 
places  were  filled  by  those  horses  and  mules  which 
w^ere  brought  to  us  by  the  contrabands,  which  all 
along  our  journey  flocked  to  our  standards,  and  by 
such  other  animals  as  were  captured  by  our  flankers 
and  advance  guards.  Exhausted  as  most  of  us  were, 
no  bivouac  fires  were  kindled  until  we  reached  our 
lines  of  pickets  from  Gloucester  Point,  where  we  were 
received  by  our  Union  comrades  in  the  midst  of  de- 
monstrations of  admiration  and  joy.  Here  we  had  a 
splendid  rest. 

May  7. — This  morning,  after  a  more  sumptuous 
breakfast  than  we  had  had  for  many  days,  w^e  crossed 
the  York  River  to  Yorktown,  where  we  encamped. 
We  are  now,  as  it  may  well  be  supposed,  the  ''lions 
of  the  day."  Nothing  is  too  good  for  us.  We  have 
the  freedom  of  the  town,  and  the  subject  of  our  raid 
is  the  theme  of  private  and  public  speculation. 

In  our  travels  we  have  captured  and  paroled  over 
three  hundred  prisoners,  burned  five  or  six  railroad 
bridges,  destroyed  all  the  ferries  on  our  route,  cap- 
tured and  demolished  two  wagon-trains,  burned  five 
or  six  depots  of  stores,  destroyed  one  railroad  train, 
besides  stations  and  telegraph  ofiices,  and  have  torn 
several  miles  of  track.  We  have  taken  over  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  horses,  some  of  them  the  finest  in  the 
country. 

The  following  extract  from  the  YorTctown  Gazette 


186       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CoA^alry. 

will  more  fully  explain  the  importance  of  our  expe- 
dition : 

"We  have  heard  startling  accomits  of  the  prodigies 
of  valor  performed  by  Stuart's  Cavalry  in  Virginia, 
and  the  bands  of  Morgan  in  the  West.  That  they 
showed  true  valor,  nice  discretion,  and  great  powers 
of  endurance,  we  will  not  for  a  moment  question.  But 
the  exploits  of  our  cavalry,  in  the  late  expedition  in 
the  rear  of  Lee's  army,  surpasses  any  thing  ever 
achieved  on  this  continent.  Especially  are  the  adven- 
tures of  the  Second  New  York  (Harris  Light  Cavalry) 
and  the  Twelfth  Illinois  almost  incredible.  But  they 
bear  with  them  trophies  that  fully  confirm  the  record 
of  their  daring. 

They  penetrated  within  the  outer  lines  of  fortifica- 
tion at  Richmond,  to  within  less  than  two  miles  of  the 
city,  and  captured  prisoners  and  trophies  there.  They 
cut  all  the  communications  between  that  city  and 
Lee's  army,  travelled  two  hundred  miles,  and  lost  only 
thirty  men.  Many  of  them  have  changed  horses  a 
number  of  times  on  the  route.  Whenever  theirs  got 
tired,  they  laid  hold  of  any  thing  that  came  in  their 
way  that  suited  them  better.  The  contrabands  flock- 
ed to  them  from  every  quarter.  They  would  take 
their  masters'  teams  from  the  plough  and  their  best 
horses  from  the  stables.  Some  of  them  were  almost 
frantic  with  delight  on  the  appearance  of  the  Yan- 
kees. Over  three  hiindred  found  their  way  to  this 
place.  Their  services  are  all  needed  at  this  present 
time. " 

The  following  report  of  Brigadier-General  King 
will  be  read  with  interest : 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  187 


YoPwKTOWN,  Virginia,  May  7,  18G3. 

To  Major-  General  Halleck  : 

Colonel  Kil Patrick,  with  his  regiment  (the  Harris  Light 
Cavalry)  and  the  rest  of  the  Twelfth  Illinois,  have  just  arrived 
at  Gloucester  Point,  opposite  this  post. 

They  burned  the  bridges  over  the  Chickahominy,  destroyed 
three  large  trains  of  provisions  in  the  rear  of  Lee's  army,  drove 
in  the  Rebel  pickets  to  within  two  miles  of  Richmond,  and 
have  lost  only  one  lieutenant  and  thirty  men,  having  captured 
and  paroled  upwards  of  three  hundred  prisoners. 

Among  the  prisoners  was  an  aid  of  General  Winder,  who 
was  captured  with  his  escort  far  within  the  entrenchments  out- 
side of  Richmond. 

The  cavalry  have  marched  nearly  two  hundred  miles  since 
the  third  of  May.  They  were  inside  of  the  fortifications  of 
Richmond  on  the  fourth ;  burnt  all  the  stores  at  Aylett's  Sta- 
tion, on  the  Mattapony,  on  the  fifth ;  destroyed  all  the  ferries 
over  the  Pamunkey  and  Mattapony,  and  a  large  depot  of  com- 
missary stores  near  and  above  the  Rappahannock,  and  came 
Lcre  in  good  condition. 

They  deserve  great  credit  for  what  they  have  done.  It  is 
one  of  the  finest  feats  of  the  war. 

RuFUS  King, 
Brigadier-  General  Commanding  Post. 

Another  print  contained  the  following  remarks  : 
Two  regiments  of  Stoneman's  Cavalry,  the  Second 
New  York  (Harris  Light  Cavalry)  and  the  Twelfth 
Illinois,  after  accomplishing  the  duty  assigned  them 
of  cutting  the  railroads  near  Richmond,  made  their 
w^ay  through  the  country  to  this  place.  The  boldness 
and  success  of  their  movements  surpass  any  thing  of 
the  kind  ever  performed  in  this  country. 

Various  opinions  are  entertained  wath  regard  to 
General  Stoneman's  expedition  as  a  whole,  some  be- 
lieving it  to  have  been  a  grand  success,  and  others  a 


188 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


coDspicuoiTS  failure.  The  former  look  only  at  wliat 
was  actually  accomplislied,  the  latter  only  at  what 
they  think  might  have  been  done.  While  all  admit 
that  the  destruction  of  property  and  tlie  severance  of 
communications  were  a  serious  blow  to  the  enemy, 
most  persons  agree  that  the  General  made  a  mistake 
in  dividing  his  command.  Had  he  kept  his  forces  to- 
gether he  was  amply  sufficient  to  have  broken  all 
railroad  and  telegraphic  connection  between  Lee  and 
Richmond  at  least  for  a  whole  week,  and  he  could 
have  routed  any  cavalry  force  which  conld  have  been 
brought  against  liim.  As  it  was,  by  dividing  his 
strength,  he  made  each  party  too  weak  to  effect  very 
great  damage,  and  exposed  them  to  great  danger  of 
capture. 

The  following  is  a  summary,  in  tabular  form,  as 
clipped  from  the  New  York  Herald,^  of  the  work 
accomplished  by  General  Stoneman's  expedition  : 


Bridges  dcBtroyed   22 

Culverts  destroyed   7 

Ferries  destroyed   5 

Railroads  broken,  places   7 

Supply-trains  burned   4 

Wagons  destroyed   122 

Horses  captured   200 

Mules  captured   104 

Canals  broken   3 

Canal-boats  burned   5 

Trains  of  cars  destroyed   3 

Storehouses  burned   2 

Telegraph-stations  burned   4 

Wires  cut,  places   5 

Depots  burned   3 


Three  Yeai's  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


189 


Towns  visited   25 

Contrabands  liberated   400 

Besides  tlie  destruction  of  large  quantities  of  pork,  bacon, 
flour,  wheat,  corn,  clothing,  and  other  articles  of  great  value 
to  the  Kebel  army. 


BATTLE  OF  CHANCELLORSYILLE. 

But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  General  Stone- 
man's  grand  raid  and  ride  were  only  the  background 
of  a  bloody  tableau  in  the  wilderness  country  around 
Chancellorsyille.  The  last  days  of  April  w^itnessed 
the  stratagem  and  skill  of  General  Hooker,  in  his 
advance  upon  the  enemy's  position.  A  feint  of  cross- 
ing his  entire  army  to  the  south  side  of  the  Eappa- 
hannock  below  Fredericksburg  completely  deceived 
the  enemy,  who  at  once  withdrew  his  forces  from  the 
upper  fords  of  the  river.  This  w\as  Hooker's  desire 
and  expectation. 

Three  corps,  commanded  respectively  by  Generals 
Howard,  Slocum,  and  Meade,  had  been  sent  up  the 
river,  but  marched  at  a  suflScient  distance  from  the 
hostile  southern  bank  to  avoid  all  observation.  Ar- 
riving at  Kelly's  Ford,  they  began  to  cross,  though  it 
was  in  the  night,  and  the  men  were  compelled  to 
wade  in  water  up  to  their  armpits.  The  moon,  which 
shone  brightly,  assisted  them  most  of  the  night,  but 
went  down  before  the  entire  force  had  crossed,  when 
crossing  had  to  be  suspended  until  morning.  Pon- 
toons were  brought  up  and  laid,  and  so  the  remainder 
of  the  infantry  and  the  cavalry  corps  crossed  pleas- 
antly. 

The  column  advanced  towards  the  Eapidan,  and 

8- 


190        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

Generals  Howard  and  Slociim's  commands  crossed 
this  stream  at  Germania  Mills,  and  General  Meade's 
at  Ely  Ford,  below,  and  then  all  marched  on  roads 
which  converge  to  the  Chancellorsville  House,  a  large 
brick  edifice,  which  was  used  as  a  mansion  and  tav- 
ern, situated  in  a  small  clearing  of  a  few  acres,  and 
which,  with  its  few  appendages  of  outbuildings,  con- 
stituted the  village  known  by  that  name.  Other 
forces,  includiug  General  Pleasonton,  with  nearly  a 
brigade  of  cavalry,  who  guarded  the  flanks  of  the 
advancing  columns,  had  crossed  the  river,  and  taken 
their  position  near  Chancellorsville. 

By  this  wily  movement  General  Lee's  position  on 
the  Rappahannock  had  been  entirely  flanked ;  and, 
flushed  with  incipient  success.  General  Hooker  fol- 
lowed liis  great  captains,  and  in  the  evening  of  the 
thirtieth  of  April  he  established  his  headquarters  in 
the  historic  brick  mansion  above  described.  So  com- 
pletely absorbed  was  our  general  with  the  brilliancy 
of  his  advance  that,  in  the  moment  of  exultation,  he 
forgot  the  dangers  of  his  situation,  and  issued  the  fol- 
lowing congratulatory  order : 

Headquaetees  Akmy  of  the  Potomac,  ) 
Camp  near  Falmouth,  Virginia,  April  30,  1863.  f 
It  is  with  heartfelt  satisfaction  that  the  commanding  gene- 
ral announces  to  the  army  that  the  operations  of  the  last  three 
days  have  determined  that  our  enemy  must  either  ingloriously 
fly  or  come  out  from  behind  his  defences  and  give  us  battle  on 
our  own  ground,  where  certain  destruction  awaits  him.  The 
operation.s  of  the  Fifth,  Eleventh,  and  Twelfth  Corps  have 
been  a  succession  of  splendid  achievements. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Hooker. 
S.  Williams,  Assistant  Adjutant- Oeneral. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  191 

It  would  seem  as  if  the  general  had  overlooked 
the  fact  that  his  army  had  but  eight  days'  supplies  at 
hand ;  that  a  ti'eacheroiis  river  flowed  between  him 
and  his  depots  ;  that  he  was  surrounded  by  a  laby- 
rinth of  forests,  traversed  in  every  direction  by  nar- 
row roads  and  paths,  all  well  known  to  the  enemy, 
but  unknown  even  to  most  of  his  guides ;  and  that 
many  of  his  guns  of  heaviest  calibre,  and  most  need- 
ed in  a  deadly  strife,  were  on  the  other  side  the  river. 

General  Lee  had  undoubtedly  been  outgeneraled 
by  Hooker  in  this  movement,  but  he  appeared  not  to 
have  been  disconcerted.  Leaving  the  Heights  of 
Fredericksburg  with  a  small  force,  he  advanced  tow- 
ards Chancellorsville. 

May  1. — The  first  collision  between  the  contend- 
ing forces  took  place  to-day.  General  Sykes,  with  a 
division  of  regulars,  was  despatched  at  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning  on  the  Old  Pike  to  Fredericksburg. 
He  was  followed  by  a  part  of  the  Second  Corps. 
Sykes  had  not  proceeded  far  before  he  encountered 
Lee  advancing,  and  a  sharp  contest  ensued,  with 
heavy  losses  on  both  sides.  The  Eebels  having  the 
best  ground,  and  being  superior  in  numbers,  com- 
pelled our  men  to  fall  back,  which  they  did  in  tolera- 
ble order,  bringing  away  every  thing  but  their  dead 
and  badly  wounded.  But  the  enemy  followed  our 
retreating  column,  though  cautiously,  and  filled  the 
woods  with  sharpshooters.  They  also  planted  their 
heavy  batteries  on  hills  which  partially  commanded 
the  clearing  around  the  Chancellorsville  House.  This 
gave  them  great  advantage.  They  were  also  gi-eatly 
elated  with  the  success  which  had  crowned  the  first 


192       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


onset.  This  was  Hooker's  first  misfortune  or  mistake. 
The  first  blow  in  snch  an  engagement  is  quite  as  im- 
portant as  the  last.  This  first  movement  ought  to 
have  been  more  powerful,  and  ought  to  have  given  to 
our  men  a  foretaste  of  victory.  But  we  had  lost  pres- 
tige and  position  which  undoubtedly  weakened  us  not 
a  little.  The  night  following  passed  quietly  away, 
except  that  the  leaders  were  laying  their  plans  for 
future  operations. 

About  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  second, 
it  was  reported  that  a  heavy  column  of  the  enemy 
was  passing  rapidly  toward  our  right,  whither  the 
Eleventh  Corps  had  been  stationed.  This  movement 
was  hidden  by  the  forests,  though  the  road  over 
w^hich  the  column  passed  was  not  far  from  our  front. 
A  rifled  battery  was  opened  upon  this  moving  col- 
umn, which,  though  out  of  sight,  was  thrown  into 
disorder,  at  which  time  General  Birney  made  a 
charge  upon  them  with  such  force  as  to  capture  and 
bring  away  five  hundred  prisoners.  By  successive 
and  successful  advances,  by  sunset  our  men  had  bro- 
ken this  column  and  held  the  road  upon  which  they 
had  been  marching  to  some  scene  of  mischief.  But 
the  evil  w^as  not  cured,  as  other  roads  more  distant 
and  better  screened  were  followed  by  the  wily  foe. 

Just  before  dark  Stonewall  Jackson,  with  about 
twenty-five  thousand  veterans,  fell  like  a  whirlwind 
upon  the  Eleventh  Corps,  which  he  had  flanked  so 
cautiously  and  yet  so  rapidly  that  our  German  com- 
rades were  taken  by  surprise  while  preparing  their 
suppers,  with  arms  stacked,  and  no  time  to  recover. 
It  is  not  at  all  wonderful  that  men  surprised  under 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  193 

these  circumstances  should  be  panic-stricken  and  flee. 
Let  the  censure  rest  not  upon  the  rout,  but  upon  the 
carelessness  that  led  to  the  surprise. 

Whole  divisions  were  now  overwhehned  by  the 
Rebel  hordes,  that  swept  forward  amid  blazing  mus- 
ketry and  battle-shouts  which  made  the  wilderness 
resound ;  and  a  frantic  stampede  commenced  which 
not  all  the  courage  and  effort  of  commanding  gene- 
rals, or  the  intrepidity  of  some  regiments  could  check, 
and  which  threatened  to  rout  the  entire  army.  This 
unforeseen  disaster  changed  the  whole  programme  of 
the  battle  and  greatly  disheartened  our  men. 

However,  the  ground  was  not  to  be  abandoned  so 
ingloriously,  and  though  our  lines  were  broken,  and 
the  enemy  had  gained  a  great  advantage,  heroism 
was  yet  to  manifest  its  grand  spirit,  and  to  achieve 
undying  laurels.  The  sun  had  gone  down,  refusing 
to  look  upon  this  Union  defeat  and  slaughter,  but  the 
pale-faced  moon  gazed  with  her  weird  light  upon  the 
bloody  scene,  while  the  carnage  still  continued. 

With  the  disaster  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  General 
Sickles,  who  was  stationed  in  the  front  and  centre  of 
,our  lines,  and  had  been  preparing  to  deal  a  heavy 
blow  upon  the  enemy,  was  left  in  a  critical  position. 
His  expectation  of  assistance  from  General  Howard 
was  not  only  cut  off,  but  he  was  left  with  only  two 
divisions  and  his  artillery  to  meet  the  shock  of  the 
advancing  hosts.  General  Pleasanton,  with  his  small 
force  of  cavalry,  being  under  Sickles'  command,  was 
ordered  to  charge  the  proud  columns  of  the  enemy, 
with  the  hope  of  checking  them  until  our  batteries 
could  be  suitably  planted. 


194:       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

Pleasonton,  addressing  Major  Keen  an  of  the 
Eighth  Pennsylvania  Cavahy,  said,  You  must  charge 
into  those  woods  with  your  regiment,  and  hold  the 
Rebels  until  I  can  get  some  of  these  guns  into  posi- 
tion.   You  must  do  it  at  whatever  cost." 

I  will,"  was  the  noble  response  of  the  true  sol- 
dier, who,  with  only  about  five  hundred  men,  was  to 
encounter  columns  at  least  twenty-five  thousand  strong, 
led  by  Stonewall  Jackson !  The  forlorn  charge  was 
made,  but  tlie  martyr-leader,  with  the  majority  of  his 
dauntless  troopers,  soon  baptized  the  earth  upon  which 
he  fell,  with  his  life  blood.  But  the  precious  sacrifice 
was  not  in  vain.  The  Eebel  advance  was  greatly 
checked,  as  when  a  trembling  lamb  is  thrown  into 
the  jaws  of  a  pursuing  pack  of  ravenous  wolves. 

The  two  determined  generals  improved  these  dear- 
bought  moments  in  planting  their  own  batteries,  and 
getting  in  readiness  also  several  guns  which  had  been 
abandoned  by  the  Eleventh  Corps  in  its  flight.  All 
these  guns  were  double-shotted,  and  all  due  prepara- 
tion was  made  for  the  expected  stroke.  It  was  a  mo- 
ment of  trembling  suspense.  Our  heroes  waited  not 
long,  when  the  woods  just  in  front  of  them  began  to. 
swarm  with  the  advancing  legions,  who  ojoened  a  fear- 
ful musketry,  and  charged  toward  our  guns.  Dark- 
ness Avas  falling ;  but  the  field  where  the  batteries 
were  planted  was  so  level  that  the  gunners  could  do 
wonderful  execution.  And  this  they  did.  The  Eebel 
charge  had  just  commenced  when  our  guns  simul- 
taneously opened  with  a  withering  fire,  which  cut 
down  whole  ranks  of  living  flesh  like  grass.  As  one 
line  of  embattled  hosts  melted  away,  another  rushed 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  195 

forward  in  its  place  to  meet  tlie  same  sad  fate. 
Three  saccessive  and  desperate  charges  were  made, 
one  of  them  to  within  a  few  yards  of  the  guns,  but 
eacli  w^as  repulsed  with  terrible  slaughter.  In  many 
places  the  dead  were  literally  in  heaps.  Our  resist- 
ance proved  successful. 

A  little  later  in  the  night,  and  right  in  front  of 
these  batteries,  fell  Stonewall  Jackson,  mortally 
wounded  by  our  scathing  fire,  as  was  at  first  sup- 
posed, but  more  likely  by  the  fire  of  his  own  infantry, 
as  one  of  their  writers  alleges.  Speaking  of  Jackson, 
he  says,  "  Such  w^as  his  ardor,  at  this  critical  moment, 
and  his  anxiety  to  penetrate  the  movements  of  the 
enemy,  doubly  screened  as  they  were  by  the  dense 
forest  and  gathering  darkness,  that  he  rode  ahead  of 
his  skirmishers,  and  exposed  himself  to  a  close  and 
dangerous  fire  from  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  posted 
in  the  timber. 

So  great  was  the  danger  which  he  thus  ran,  that 
one  of  his  staff  said  :  '  General,  don't  you  think  this 
is  the  wrong  place  for  you  ? '  He  replied  quickly  : 
'The  danger  is  all  over;  the  enemy  is  routed.  Go 
back,  and  tell  A.  P.  Hill  to  press  right  on.'  Soon 
after  giving  this  order  General  Jackson  turned,  and, 
accompanied  by  his  staff  and  escort,  rode  back  at  a 
trot,  on  his  well-known  '  Old  Sorrel,'  toward  his  own 
men.  Unhappily,  in  the  darkness — it  was  now  nine 
or  ten  o'clock  at  night — the  little  body  of  horsemen 
was  mistaken  for  Federal  cavalry  charging,  and  the 
regiments  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  road  fired  a 
sudden  volley  into  them  with  the  most  lamentable  re- 
sults.   Captain  Bos  well,  of  General  Jackson's  staff, 


196       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


chief  of  artillery,  was  wounded ;  and  two  couriers 
were  killed.  General  Jackson  received  one  ball  in 
his  left  arm,  two  inches  below  the  shoulder  joint, 
shattering  the  bone  and  severing  the  chief  artery  ;  a 
second  passed  through  the  same  arm,  between  the 
elbow  and  wrist,  making  its  exit  through  the  palm  of 
the  hand ;  a  third  ball  entered  the  palm  of  his  right 
hand,  about  the  middle,  and,  passing  through,  broke 
two  of  the  bones. 

He  fell  from  his  horse,  and  was  caught  by  Cap- 
tain Wormly,  to  whom  he  said,  '  All  my  wounds  are 
by  my  own  men.'  " 

The  loss  of  this  heroic  chieftain,  this  swift  flanker 
and  intrepid  leader,  was  undoubtedly  the  greatest  yet 
felt  by  either  army  in  the  fall  of  a  single  man.  Some 
report  that,  on  hearing  of  the  sad  fall  of  his  chief 
Captain,  General  Lee  exclaimed,  I  would  rather 
have  lost  twenty  thousand  men  !  " 

Admitting  that  the  Kebels  gained  in  this  battle  a 
great  victory,  its  advantages  were  dearly  purchased  by 
the  loss  of  Thomas  Jonathan  Jackson.  About  mid- 
night a  fierce  charge  w-as  made  by  General  Sickles' 
forces,  w^hich  proved  successful,  .enabling  our  boys  to 
recover  much  of  the  ground  formerly  occupied  by  the 
unfortunate  Eleventh  Corps,  and  they  brought  back 
with  them  some  abandoned  guns  and  other  valuable 
articles  from  the  debris^  v^^hich  the  Eebels  had  not 
time  or  disposition  to  disturb. 

General  Hooker  then  ordered  this  exposed  position 
to  be  abandoned,  and  by  daylio;ht  our  lines  were  fall- 
ing  back  in  good  order  towards  Chancellorsville,  but 
were  closely  pursued  by  the  enemy,  who  filled  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


197 


woods.  Several  determined  charges  were  made  upon 
our  retreating  columns,  which,  however,  were  repel- 
led mostly  by  the  fire  of  our  artillery,  whicli  mowed 
down  hundreds  as  they  rushed  recklessly  ahiiost  to  the 
cannon's  mouth.  But  these  batteries  had  been  played 
and  worked  so  incessantly  for  the  last  tvv^elve  hours, 
that  ammunition  began  to  fail,  and  General  Sickles 
sent  a  message  to  Hooker  that  assistance  must  be 
granted  him,  or  he  would  be  compelled  to  yield  his 
ground.  The  officer  who  brought  the  despatch,  found 
General  Hooker  in  a  senseless  state,  surrounded  by 
liis  hopeless  attendants,  while  general  confusion  had 
possession  of  the  headquarters.  A  few  minutes  pre- 
vious to  this  a  cannon-ball  had  struck  the  wall  of  the 
mansion  upon  which  the  General  was  incidentally 
leaning,  the  concussion  felling  him  to  the  floor.  For 
some  time  he  was  supposed  to  be  dead,  but  soon  giv- 
ing signs  of  returning  consciousness.  General  Couch, 
who  was  next  in  rank,  refused  to  assume  command, 
and  hence  about  one  hour  of  j)recious  time  was  lost. 
This  was  a  fatal  hour.  Had  General  Hooker  been 
able  to  receive  Sickles'  message,  and  ordered  a  heavy 
force  to  his  assistance,  it  is  thought  that  a  great  disas- 
ter could  have  been  prevented,  and  probably  a  victory 
might  have  been  gained. 

But  the  golden  opportunity,  which  is  seldom 
duplicated  in  a  given  crisis  or  a  life-time,  was  lost ; 
and  the  enemy,  though  somewhat  disorganized  and 
badly  disheartened  by  our  well-managed  batteries, 
had  time,  during  this  lull,  to  recover  strength.  They 
then  advanced  again  with  such  power  as  to  compel 
our  men  to  retire  from  Chancellorsville  toward  the 


198       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

Kappahannock,  leaving  the  brick  mansion  a  mass  of 
ruins,  made  sucli  by  tlie  fire  of  the  enemy. 

By  noon  General  Hooker  had  recovered  his  con- 
sciousness sufficiently  to  order  the  movements  of  his 
troops.  The  fighting  on  his  front  was  now  nearly 
over,  but  his  position  was  critical.  General  Sedg- 
wick, who  had  been  directed  to  cross  the  Eappahan- 
nock  below  Fredericksburg,  with  orders  to  advance 
thence  against  all  obstacles  until  he  could  fall  upon 
General  Lee's  rear,  while  the  grand  army  engaged 
him  in  front,  found  it  impossible  to  proceed  as  rapidly 
as  was  expected  of  him,  and  was  finally  repulsed  with 
such  slaughter  and  pursued  with  such  vigor  as  to  be 
compelled  to  recross  the  river,  leaving  at  least  five 
thousand  of  his  men  killed,  wounded,  and  captm-ed 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

No  alternative  seemed  now  left  to  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  but  to  beat  a  retreat  and  recross  the 
river.  On  the  evening  of  the  fifth.  General  Hooker 
held  a  council  of  war  with  his  commanders,  at  which, 
however,  nothing  was  decided  upon ;  but  in  the 
night  he  took  the  responsibility  of  ordering  all  his 
forces  to  recross  the  Rappahannock,  which  they  did 
in  good  order  and  without  molestation ;  and  thus 
ended  the  disastrous  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  with 
a  loss  of  about  eighteen  thousand  men  on  each  side, 
and  our  remaining  troops  returned  to  bivouac  on 
their  old  camping-ground  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
river  near  Falmouth. 

This  retrograde  movement  was  undoubtedly  con- 
sidered to  be  necessary  in  consequence  of  the  im- 
pending storm,  which  set  in  about  four  o'clock  of  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  199 

afternoon  of  the  fifth,  and  rendered  the  march  and 
night  exceedingly  disagreeable.  The  river  was  swol- 
len so  rapidly  as  to  set  adrift  several  of  our  pontoons, 
and  the  act  of  recrossing,  though  orderly,  was  by  no 
means  pleasant.  The  storm  was  cold  and  violent,  and 
the  roads  soon  became  so  bad  as  to  remind  the  boy? 
of  Burnside's  unfortunate  advance  in  January.  It  is 
supposed  by  some  that  the  rain  explains  satisfactorily 
the  conduct  of  the  enemy,  who  seemed  to  make  no 
attempt  whatever  to  follow  our  returning  troops. 

"While  yet  the  rain  was  drenching  our  weary  boys, 
on  the  sixth,  General  Hooker  issued  a  congratulatory 
order  to  them  and  the  country,  in  which  are  to  be 
found  the  following  characteristic  passages  : 

"  The  Major-General  commanding  tenders  to  this 
army  his  congratulations  on  its  achievements  of  the 
last  seven  days.  If  it  has  not  accomplished  all  that 
was  expected,  the  reasons  are  well  known  to  the 
army.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  they  were  of  a  charac- 
ter not  to  be  foreseen  nor  prevented  by  human  saga- 
city or  resources. 

In  withdrawing  from  the  south  bank  of  the 
Rappahannock  before  delivering  a  general  battle  to 
our  adversaries,  the  army  has  given  renewed  evi- 
dence of  its  confidence  in  itself  and  its  fidelity  to  the 
principles  it  represents.  In  fighting  at  a  disadvan- 
tage, we  would  have  been  recreant  to  our  trust,  to 
ourselves,  our  cause,  and  our  country.  Profoundly 
loyal,  and  conscious  of  its  strength,  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  will  give  or  decline  battle  whenever  its  in- 
terest or  honor  may  demand.  It  will  also  be  the 
guardian  of  its  own  history  and  its  own  honor. 


200       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

"  Bj  onr  celerity  and  secrecy  of  movement,  onr 
advance  and  passage  of  the  rivers  was  undisputed, 
and,  on  onr  withdrawal,  not  a  Rebel  ventured  to 
follow. 

"  The  events  of  the  last  week  may  swell  with 
pride  the  heart  of  every  officer  and  soldier  of  this 
army.  We  have  added  new  lustre  to  its  former  re- 
nown. We  have  made  long  marches,  crossed  rivers, 
surprised  the  enemy  in  his  intrenchments,  and,  wher- 
ever we  have  fought,  have  inflicted  heavier  blows  than 
we  have  received.  We  have  taken  from  the  enemy 
five  thousand  prisoners  and  fifteen  colors ;  captured 
and  brought  off  seven  pieces  of  artillery  ;  placed  hors 
de  combat  eighteen  thousand  of  his  chosen  troops ;  de- 
stroyed his  depots  filled  with  a  vast  amount  of  stores ; 
deranged  his  communications ;  captured  prisoners 
within  the  fortifications  of  his  capital,  and  filled  his 
country  with  fear  and  consternation.  We  have  no 
other  regret  than  that  caused  by  the  loss  of  our  brave 
companions  ;  and  in  this  we  are  consoled  by  the  con- 
viction that  they  have  fallen  in  the  holiest  cause  ever 
submitted  to  the  arbitrament  of  battle.'' 

This  order,  if  not  perfectly  satisfactory  to  the 
country  and  to  the  authorities,  was  generally  hailed 
with  applause  by  the  army,  which  recognized  in  its 
sagacious  rendering  of  our  difficulties  and  humilia- 
tions the  meed  of  praise  awarded  where  it  was 
due. 

General  Lee's  order  respecting  this  campaign  is 
also  very  modest  and  unique,  and  is  worthy  of  a  j)lace 
in  this  record.    In  it  he  says  : 

"  With  heartfelt  gratification  the  General  com- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  201 

mauding  expresses  to  the  army  his  sense  of  the  heroic 
conduct  displayed  by  officers  and  men  during  the 
arduous  operations  in  which  they  have  just  been  en- 
gaged. 

Under  trying  vicissitudes  of  heat  and  storm, 
you  attacked  the  enemy  strongly  intrenched  in  the 
depths  of  a  tangled  wilderness,  and  again  on  the  hills 
of  Fredericksburg,  fifteen  miles  distant,  and,  by  the 
valor  that  has  triumphed  on  so  many  fields,  forced 
him  once  more  to  seek  safety  bej^ond  the  Rappahan- 
nock. While  this  glorious  victory  entitles  you  to  the 
praise  and  gratitude  of  the  nation,  we  are  especially 
called  upon  to  return  our  grateful  thanks  to  the  only 
Giver  of  victory  for  the  signal  deliverance  He  has 
wrought. 

It  is,  therefore,  earnestly  recommended  that  the 
troops  unite  on  Sunday  next  in  ascribing  to  the  Lord 
of  Hosts  the  glory  due  His  name.  Let  us  not  forget 
in  our  rejoicings  the  brave  soldiers  who  have  fallen 
in  defence  of  their  country ;  and,  while  we  mourn 
their  loss,  let  us  resolve  to  emulate  their  noble  ex- 
ample. The  army  and  the  country  alike  lament  the 
absence  for  a  time  of  one  [Jackson]  to  whose  bravery, 
energy,  and  skill  they  are  so  much  indebted  for  suc- 
cess." 

The  two  great  armies  once  more  confronted  each 
other  from  either  bank  of  the  river,  as  they  had  done 
during  all  the  winter  and  spring  months.  On  the 
seventh  of  May,  President  Lincoln  visited  the  camp 
near  Falmouth,  conferred  with  his  generalissimo  on 
movements  past  and  future,  appeared  pleased  with 
the  spirit  and  morale  of  the  troops,  and  returned  to 


202       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


Washington  to  continue  his  earnest  toil  for  the  na- 
tion's life  and  well-being. 

Daring  the  month  quite  a  depletion  of  the  rank 
and  file  of  the  army  took  place,  by  the  mustering  out 
of  large  numbers  of  three  months'  and  two  years- 
men.  And  such  had  been  the  depressing  influence? 
of  Ohancellorsville  upon  the  country,  that  the  place? 
of  these  men  were  not  very  easily  filled.  To  the  sa- 
gacious leaders  in  political  and  military  circles  this 
state  of  things  was  not  a  little  alarming.  But  to  the 
Rebel  leaders  the  times  were  afibrding  opportunities 
for  grand  schemes,  and  for  the  execution  of  move- 
ments most  startling. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


203 


CHAPTEE  XI. 

FROM  YORKTOWN  TO  FALMOUTH. 

1863. — Curiosity  Satisfied. — Pastimes  on  tlis  York  River. — Religious  Ser- 
vices; their  Influence. — Raid  to  Matliias  Court  House. — Sickness 
and  Recovery. — From  Gloucester  Point  to  Falmouth. — Excitinor  De- 
tails.— Correspondence  of  Mr.  Young. — The  Press. — With  tlie  Army 
of  the  Potomac  again. — Cavalry  Fight  at  Brandy  Station. — Bold 
Charge  of  the  First  Maine  Cavalry.— The  Chivalry  fairly  Beaten. — 
Death  of  Colonel  B.  F.  Davis,  Eighth  New  York  Cavalry.— Interest- 
ing Letter  of  a  Rebel  Chaplain. — Casualties. — What  was  Gained  by 
the  Reconnoissance. — Pleasonton  and  Kilpatrick  Promoted. — Rebels 
Raiding  in  Maryland. 

LONG  raids  and  general  engagements  or  cam- 
paigns are  nsnally  followed  by  a  few  days  of 
comparative  rest.  This  is  necessary  both  for  ani- 
mals and  men.  Yacancies  wbich.  are  generally  made 
during  snch  vicissitudes,  in  the  staffs  of  commissioned 
and  non-commissioned  officers,  have  to  be  filled,  and 
reorganization  takes  place.  This  was  the  experience 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  after  its  Chancellors- 
ville  campaign,  as  well  as  our  own  after  our  return 
from  Richmond. 

^  On  the  eighth  of  May,  Kilpatrick's  command  left 
Gloucester  Point  in  the  morning,  and,  after  crossing 
the  York  River,  amid  the  cheers  of  General  Keyes' 
command,  we  were  provided  with  tents  in  an  en- 
campment within  the  fortifications  of  Fort  York- 


204       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

town.  Here  was  a  fine  opportunity  for  repose, 
which  we  were  all  in  a  condition  to  relish.  Like  the 
prince  of  poets,  we  conld  realize  that 

Weariness 

Can  snore  upon  the  flint,  when  rusty  sloth 
Finds  the  down-pillow  hard. 

On  the  day  following  our  arrival  here,  soldiers 
and  citizens  from  the  towp  were  flocking  into  our 
camp  in  droves,  from  reveille  till  taps,  eager  to  learn 
from  US  the  particulars  of  our  recent  raid.  Groups 
of  attentive  hearers  could  be  seen  in  various  parts 
of  the  grounds  surrounding  some  of  our  talkative  com- 
rades who  discoursed  eloquently  to  them  of  the  suf- 
ferings and  fatigue,  of  the  daring  and  danger,  of  the 
stratagem  and  endurance  which  attended  the  expedi- 
tion. No  little  amount  of  yarn  was  spun,  and  not  a 
little  imagination  was  emplo}' ed  to  paint  the  scenes  as 
vividly  as  possible. 

May  10. — A  dress-parade  was  ordered  at  ten 
O'clock  this  morning,  at  whicli  time  a  complimentary 
order  to  the  regiment  from  the  Secretary  of  War  was 
read  by  the  adjutant.  The  occasion  was  very  inter- 
esting, and  every  man  seemed  to  feel  proud  of  him- 
self, his  deeds,  and  especially  of  his  leader.  In  the 
afternoon  our  cup  of  delight  w^as  made  to  run  over 
by  the  appearing  of  our  paymaster  with  his  stamps," 
as  the  boys  call  the  greenbacks.  We  received  two 
months'  pay.  The  usual  scenes  of  pay-day  were 
reenacted,  and  the  occasion  passed  away  amid  the  un- 
tempered  follies  of  some  and  the  conserving  wisdom 
of  others. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  205 

The  weather  is  warm  and  beautiful.  Many  of 
us  are  improving  the  opportunity  of  bathing  in  the 
York.  This,  though  not  a  military,  is  certainly  a 
very  salutary,  exercise,  and  one  which  we  very  much 
enjoy.  Boat-rides  are  occasionally  participated  in, 
and  lots  of  sport  is  found  in  raking  the  river-bed  for 
oysters.  "  Two  birds  are  here  killed  with  one  stone," 
for  there  is  pleasure  in  catching,  and  a  double  pleas- 
ure in  eating,  these  bivalvular  creatures  of  the  brine. 
Some  days  we  live  on  little  else  but  oysters— a  diet 
which  is  very  rapidly  recuperating  our  overtasked 
powers. 

Sunday^  May  17. — This  has  been  a  beautiful  day, 
and  this  evening  a  large  meeting  for  religious  services 
was  held  near  the  spot  where  Lord  Cornwallis  sur- 
rendered his  sword  to  General  Washington.  The 
place  seemed  hallowed  with  tbe  memory  of  those 
events  ;  and  it  certainly  ought  to  have  witnessed  the 
surrender  of  many  rebellious  hearts  to  the  ^'  King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords."  The  exercises  of  the 
meeting  were  conducted  by  the  officers  of  the  post, 
and  were  full  of  interest. 

Wild  and  rude  as  soldiers  often  are,  they  gener- 
ally attend  with  pleasure  all  religious  services  when 
they  are  pleasantly  invited  to  do  so.  And  I  think 
no  one  ever  beheld  more  attentive  audiences  than 
here.  So  great  is  the  contrast  between  the  spirit  of 
such  a  meeting  and  the  general  tenor  of  our  work, 
that  the  transition  is  relieving.  Then  there  is  so 
much  in  the  life  and  character  of  a  true  soldier  that 
suggests  the  experience  and  principles  of  a  soldier  of 
the  Cross,  that  a  versatile  and  interesting  speaker  in 
9 


206       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

a  religious  assembly  here  finds  ample  illustrations 
from  our  every-day  observations  for  the  unfolding  of 
Christian  themes.  And  yet  the  main  influence  of 
Christianity  here  lies  back  even  of  these  statements  ; 
it  is  found  in  the  ready  response  which  memory 
brings  from  the  fireside  religion  of  our  homes,  and 
the  early  instructions  of  the  Sunday-school  and 
church.  The  "  stirring  up  of  our  pure  minds  by 
way  of  remembrance,"  which  is  done  so  easily  in  the 
company  of  American  soldiers,  is  one  of  the  most 
potent  elements  of  heroism  and  right  discipline  which 
can  be  found. 

The  history  of  this  country  borrows  so  much  light 
from  the  cross  which  Columbus  bore  as  an  ensign, 
and  planted  here,  from  the  prayers  of  the  Pilgrim 
Fathers,  and  from  the  Christian  devotion  of  Wash- 
ington and  others  who  laid  the  foundation  of  this 
great  Republic,  that  a  true  American  cannot  be  des- 
titute of  reverence  for  the  religion  of  the  Bible. 
Hence  over  us  especially  these  religious  assemblies 
cannot  fail  to  exert  a  salutary  influence.  And  yet 
we  observe  that  not  more  than  one  regiment  in  five 
is  provided  with  a  chaplain,  or  with  means  of  reli- 
gious instruction.  To  a  certain  extent  this  deficiency 
is  supplied  by  the  benevolent  agents  of  the  Christian 
Commission,  who,  however,  are  not  able  to  fill  the 
place  of  a  faithful  chaplain.  But  if  it  were  not  for 
these,  many  of  our  sick  and  dying  would  be  utterly 
destitute  of  Christian  influence,  and  our  dead  would 
be  buried  more  like  dogs  than  like  Christian  heroes. 
We  fear  that  the  Government  does  not  properly  ap- 
preciate the  importance  of  the  chaplaincy  in  the 


Three  Years  in  the  jFederal  Cavalry.  207 

army,  and  hence  does  not  give  sufficient  inducement 
for  true  men  to  enter  this  difficult  field  of  labor. 
Only  a  man  of  stalwart  character  is  fit  for  the  posi- 
tion— a  man  of  physical,  mental,  and  moral  daring. 
And  so  far  as  oar  observations  extend,  with  very  few 
exceptions,  this  is  the  class  of  men  who  occupy  the 
position  of  chaplains  among  us. 

May  19.— Several  days  have  been  spent  pleasant- 
ly within  Fort  Torktown,  and  we  are  becoming  some- 
what eager  for  more  lively  experiences  and  scenes. 

"  Variety 's  the  source  of  joy  below, 
From  which  still  fresh  revolving  pleasures  flow." 

During  the  day  we  abandoned  Fort  Yorktown,  and 
Kilpatrick  established  a  camp  for  the  regiment  in  the 
old  peach-orchard,  famous  for  the  battle  which  oc- 
curred within  its  limits  during  McClellan's  Peninsu- 
lar Campaign.  It  is  a  lovely  spot,  which,  however, 
shows  signs  of  the  conflict  above  referred  to.  There 
is  scarcely  a  tree  but  presents  marks  of  the  bloody 
drama,  in  broken  bark  and  splintered  trunk,  and  in 
wounded  branches  which  hang  danglingly  over  our 
heads. 

RAID  TO  MATHIAS  COURT  HOUSE. 

During  the  day  a  detail  of  the  regiment,  sufficient 
in  number  to  mount  all  the  serviceable  horses,  was 
ordered  out  in  an  expedition  against  Mathias  Court 
House.  A  detachment  of  infantry  and  a  battery  of 
artillery  accompany  the  cavalry,  and  Kilpatrick  is  in 
command  of  the  entire  force.  The  line  of  march  is 
through  a  rich  and  beautiful  region  of  country.  Ma- 


208       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

thias  county  is  a  lovely  peninsula,  encompassed  by 
the  waters  of  the  Piankatank  River,  on  the  north, 
the  Chesapeake  Bay,  on  the  east,  and  Mob  Jack  Bay, 
on  the  south.  The  North  River  forms  a  portion  of 
its  boundary  on  the  west,  against  Gloucester  county, 
and  nearly  severs  it  from  the  mainland. 

Kilpatrick  was  favored  with  tine  weather  in  his 
expedition,  and  returned  on  the  tw^enty-second  crown- 
ed with  success.  A  multitude  of  slaves  was  liberated, 
hailing  our  forces  everywhere  as  their  friends  and 
protectors.  Large  numbers  of  fine  horses  and  mules, 
with  which  that  country  abounds,  were  also  captured. 
No  Rebel  force  of  any  importance  w^as  encountered, 
and  the  boys  greatly  enjoyed  their  visit  to  the  well- 
stocked  plantations  of  the  wealthy  farmers,  many  of 
whom  had  never  before  seen  a  Yankee. 

May  24. — I  was  taken  very  suddenly  ill  during  the 
night.  Dr.  Kingston  came  to  see  me  at  three  o'clock, 
and  so  skilfully  treated  niy  case,  that  I  was  quickly 
relieved  of  pain.  In  three  hours  from  the  time  the 
surgeon  came  to  my  quarters,  I  was  well  enough  to 
be  up  and  on  duty,  so  that  at  six  o'clock  I  was  able 
to  call  the  roll  of  my  company  as  usual,  and  to  attend 
to  other  duties. 

The  day  after  my  illness  I  began  to  make  out 
muster  and  pay  rolls  for  my  company.  This  work 
was  undertaken  by  all  the  first-sergeants  of  the  regi- 
ment. But  our  task  is  unusually  difiicult,  as  nearly 
all  our  company-books  and  papers  were  captured  by 
guerillas  at  the  commencement  of  the  spring  cam- 
paign. "  Patience  and  perseverance  "  is  our  motto ; 
and  yet  many  times,  as  we  endeavor  to  unravel  the 


Three  Yea/rs  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  209 

snarls  and  nntie  the  knots,  we  find  that  the  above  vir- 
tues almost  forsake  ns. 

May  26. — This  afternoon  we  had  mounted  regi- 
mental drill,  and  this  was  followed  by  dress-parade. 
Our  time  is  now  devoted  mostly  to  drilling,  in  prepa 
ration,  as  we  all  think,  for  some  movement. 

May  29. — Orders  for  an  advance  have  at  length 
reached  ns.  At  five  o'clock  this  afternoon  we  struck 
our  tents,  broke  cam.p,  and  crossed  the  York  by  ferry, 
halting  for  the  night  near  Fort  Keyes,  at  Gloucester 
Point.  There  is  much  discussion  among  us  as  to  the 
point  of  destination,  but  nearly  all  agree  that  we  are 
to  rejoin  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Soldiers  seldom 
know  the  object  of  their  movements.  All  we  need  is 
to  receive  the  order  or  command,  and  we  go,  "  ask- 
ing no  question  for  conscience'  sake." 

May  30. — We  moved  from  Gloucester  Point  early 
in  the  morning,  and  made  a  forced  march  to  the  Pian- 
katank  Eiver.  The  rising  smoke  announced  to  us 
that  the  bridge  across  this  stream  had  been  burnt 
before  us.  After  considerable  searching  and  sound- 
ing, a  place  so  nearly  ford  able  was  found  as  to  enable 
a  portion  of  the  command  to  cross  over.  Others  mean- 
while constructed  a  temporary  bridge  over  which  they 
effected  a  crossing.  Guerillas  are  very  numerous  in 
these  parts.  One  of  our  vedettes  was  fired  upon  and 
wounded  by  them  early  this  evening.  All  our  at- 
tempts to  capture  such  culprits  are  in  vain.  The 
forests  are  so  dense,  and  ravines  so  deep  and  dark, 
that  a  man  acquainted  with  every  secret  nook  and 
corner,  can  hide  away  in  perfect  security,  after  com- 
mitting his  depredations. 


210       TTiree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

Sunday^  May  31.  —  The  Troy  company  is  on 
picket  duty  to-day.  A  detachment  from  the  com- 
pany made  a  reconnoissance  tliis  morning  beyond  the 
outposts,  and  brought  in  two  citizens  of  a  suspicious 
character.  They  undoubtedly  belong  to  the  gang  of 
bushwhackers  that  has  hung  upon  our  flanks  and 
rear,  and  inflicted  the  injuries  w^e  have  sustained  for 
the  past  few  days.  Rich  supplies  of  bacon  and  corn, 
of  sorghum  and  honey,  are  found  along  our  path. 
The  country  has  never  been  visited  by  Federal  troops, 
and  is  as  full  of  provisions  for  us  as  it  is  filled  with 
consternation  and  alarm  at  our  approach.  We  have 
spent  the  day  in  scouting  the  country. 

June  1. — Our  march  was  resumed  at  an  early 
hour  in  the  morning,  and  we  advanced  to  Urbanna,  a 
town  on  the  Rappahannock.  Here  several  important 
captures  were  made,  including  Colonel  E.  P.  Jones 
and  Captain  Brown,  of  the  Virginia  militia.  Here 
we  spent  the  night  pleasantly.  During  tlie  night 
Kilpatrick  managed  to  establish  comuumication  with 
our  gun-boats  on  the  Rappahannock,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing early  we  were  taken  across  on  transports,  protect- 
ed by  the  gun-boats.  After  a  short  halt  to  feed  our 
horses  from  the  corn-ricks  which  dot  the  country,  we 
resumed  our  march,  and  with  the  setting  sun  reached 
a  place  called  Litwalton,  where  we  bivouacked  for 
the  night. 

June  3. — To-day  we  had  a  very  pleasant  march 
through  a  pleasant  country  and  with  pleasant  weather. 
Richmond  Court  House  was  reached  for  our  bivouac 
to-night ;  but  we  left  early  in  the  morning  of  the 
fourth,  and  by  good  marching  arrived  at  Port  Con- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  211 


way  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.  Here  we  unsaddled  our 
horses  for  the  first  time  since  leaving  Yorktown^  after 
the  marches  of  six  days. 

June  5. — We  reached  Fahnouth.  Upon  meeting 
our  old  acquaintances  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
cheers  upon  cheers  were  heartily  vociferated  for  Kil- 
patrick  and  the  Harris  Light,  and  our  march  was  a 
continual  ovation. 

The  following  quotations  will  show  the  considera- 
tion that  was  accorded  to  Kilpatrick's  movements : 

"  Colonel  Kilpatrick,  with  the  Harris  Light  Cav- 
alry and  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  left  Yorktown 
at  twelve  o'clock  Friday  night,  reaching  Gloucester 
Point  at  one  a.  m.,  and  Gloucester  Court  House  at 
half-past  five  a.  m.,  Saturday.  They  left  again  at  eight 
o'clock,  and  at  four  p.  m.  on  the  same  day  arrived  at 
Saluda,  leaving  there  at  half-past  four  Monday  morn- 
ing, and  reaching  Urbanna  at  half-past  six  a.  m.,  where 
the  wharves  were  found  to  be  partially  destroyed  by 
fire. 

"  The  bridge  on  the  Piankatank  Eiver,  near  Drag- 
on Ordinary,  had  been  destroyed  by  the  citizens,  and, 
as  there  were  no  fords,  a  squadron  of  the  Twelfth  Il- 
linois swam  their  horses  over  the  river,  while  another 
portion  of  Kilpatrick's  command — the  Colonel  and  his 
stafF-ofiicers  assisting — constructed  a  floating  bridge 
of  felled  trees  and  fence-rails  in  about  half  an  hour, 
over  which  the  remainder  of  the  cavalry  crossed  in 
safety. 

"  At  Saluda  the  colors  of  the  Twelfth  Virginia  In- 
fantry were  captured  by  the  cavalry.  From  there  the 
country  was  scoured  for  a  distance  of  ten  miles,  result- 


212       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

ing  in  the  capture  of  horses,  mules,  and  carriages,  and 
in  the  emancipation  of  numerous  slaves. 

Between  Montague  and  Bowler's  Ferry  the  Reb- 
el pickets  were  driven  in  as  far  as  the  barricades  whicli 
they  had  constructed  of  felled  trees,  within  three  miles 
of  the  ferry. 

"  Occasionally  guerilla  skirmishing  was  encounter- 
ed on  the  road ;  but  there  was  no  fighting  with  any 
considerable  force  of  the  Rebels,  though  they  had  in- 
fantry and  artillery  at  Kings  and  Queens  Court  House 
and  about  two  hundred  cavalry  at  Bowler's  Ferry. 

"  A  letter  from  Stuart  was  intercepted,  addressed 
to  a  secessionist  named  Fontleroy,  in  Middlesex  Coun- 
ty, assuring  him  that  he  would  have  a  sufficient  force 
of  cavalry  in  that  neighborhood  by  Sunday  evening 
to  relieve  the  anxiety  of  the  people  of  the  county  and 
stop  the  raids  of  the  Yankees. 

"Among  the  prisoners  captured  by  Kilpatrick's 
cavalry  was  Captain  Brown,  of  the  Fifth  Virginia  cav- 
alry, and  the  guerilla.  Colonel  E.  P.  Jones.  The  only 
man  wounded  was  Orderly-Sergeant  Northrup,  of 
Company  G,  Harris  Light  Cavalry,  who  was  hit  with 
a  buckshot-charge  fired  by  a  bushwhacker. 

The  transports  Long  Branch,  William  N.  Frazier, 
Star,  and  Tallaca,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Dickinson,  of  General  Hooker's  staff,  con- 
veyed the  cavalry  and  the  captured  horses  and  mules 
across  the  Rappahannock  from  Urbanna  to  Carter's 
wharf,  six  miles  higher  up  than  the  former  place,  and 
subsequently  conveyed  the  contrabands  to  Aquia 
Creek. 

"  The  gun-boats  Freeborn,  Yankee,  Anacostia,  Ja- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  213 


cob  Bell,  Satellite,  Primrose,  and  Currituck,  convoyed 
the  transports  up  and  down  the  river,  and  the  Jacob 
Bell  covered  the  landing  at  Carter's  Creek.  These 
vessels  of  the  Potomac  JBlotilla  v^ere  under  the  com- 
mand of  Commodore  Samuel  Magaw. 

"  There  was  a  small  force  of  infantry  under  Colo- 
nel Dickinson,  being  picked  men;  and  the  cavalry^ 
with  the  aid  of  this  infantry  at  Urbanna,  despoiled 
the  Rebels  between  Yorktown  and  the  Eappahan- 
nock  of  nearly  one  thousand  contrabands  and  about 
three  hundred  horses  and  mules,  besides  depleting 
their  granaries  and  poultry-yards. 

"  Colonel  Kilpatrick,  Colonel  Dickinson,  and  Com- 
modore Magaw,  and  those  in  their  commands,  are  en- 
titled to  commendation  for  the  energy  exhibited,  as  is 
also  the  engineer  corps  of  the  Fiftieth  New  York,  un- 
der Captain  Folwell,  which  promptly  repairea  the 
bridge  at  Carter's  wharf.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dick- 
inson, Captain  John  B.  Howard,  acting  assistant-quar- 
termaster, formerly  of  the  Brooklyn  Fourteenth,  and 
other  military  gentlemen  and  civilians,  rode  out  to 
Saluda,  and  were  hospitably  entertained  at  the  resi- 
dence of  the  Clerk  of  the  Courts,  who  tendered  his 
assurances  of  respect  with  generous  plates  of  straw- 
berries and  cream." 

From  another  periodical  we  clip  the  following : 

''We  have  an  account  of  Colonel  Kilpatrick's  re- 
cent successful  raid  back  from  Gloucester  Point.  He 
crossed  the  country  between  the  York  and  Eappahan- 
nock  Rivers,  making  an  extensive  circuit  through  the 
garden-spot  of  Yirginia — a  section  where  our  troops 
have  never  before  penetrated.    Colonel  Kilpatrick 


214:      Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

made  a  large  haul  of  negroes,  horses,  &c.,  and  has 
arrived  safely  at  Urbanna  with  them.  He  spread 
general  terror  among  the  Rebels.  His  forces  were 
taken  across  the  Ilappaliannock  by  our  gun-boats,  and 
proceeded  at  once  to  our  lines." 

A  brief  item  from  the  Troy  Times  will  complete 
the  journal  of  this  important  event : 

"  Colonel  Kilpatrick  is  the  hero  of  another  great 
raid  through  the  enemy's  country.  At  the  conclu- 
sion of  Stoneman's  raid,  it  will  be  remembered,  Colo 
nel  Kilpatrick's  command  remained  at  Gloucester 
Court  House.  Last  week  he  was  ordered  to  again 
join  the  main  army,  and,  on  the  thirtieth  ultimo,  he 
started  on  the  march  to  TJrbanna,  on  the  Lower  Rap- 
pahannock. He  returned  to  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac on  the  fifth  instant,  after  travelling  over  a  large 
extent  of  territory  and  destroying  an  immense  amount 
of  property." 

A  little  rest  was  enjoyed  at  Falmouth.  But  our 
experience  convinces  us  that  the  cavalryman  must 
write  history  in  haste  if  he  would  write  as  rapidly  as 
it  is  made. 

June  7. — The  bugles  sounded  reveille  at  three 
o'clock  A.  M.  "  Boots  and  saddles  "  followed  at  four  ; 
"lead  out"  at  four-and-a-quarter,  and  the  column  was 
in  motion  towards  Warrenton  Junction  at  four-and-a- 
half.  We  went  via  Catlett's  Station,  which  place  we 
reached  at  two  o'clock  p.  m.  Nearly  every  step  of 
the  march  was  on  familiar  ground,  w^here  we  had 
passed  and  repassed  many  times.  It  seemed  like 
meeting  old  friends,  and  nearly  every  object  we  saw 
suggested  thoughts  and  experiences  of  the  past. 


THE  imm 

Of  THE 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CaA)alry.  217 

At  Warrenton  Junction  we  rejoined  tlie  Cavalry 
Corps,  now  under  the  command  of  General  Alfred 
Pleasonton. 

June  9. — At  two  o'clock  p.  m.  the  whole  Cavalry 
Corps  moved  from  Warrenton  Junction  towards  the 
Eappahannock.  We  are  marching  in  two  columns, 
one  towards  Beverly  and  the  other  towards  Kelly's 
Fords.  The  Harris  Light  moves  with  the  latter  col- 
umn. Two  brigades  of  infantry  under  Generals 
Ames  and  Eussell  accompany  the  expedition,  each 
with  a  battery  of  artillery. 

CAVALRY  FIGHT  AT  BRANDY  STATION. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  ninth  we  arrived  at 
the  river,  where  it  was  evident  we  were  not  expected 
in  force,  for  we  found  nothing  but  a  strong  picket- 
guard  to  contest  our  advance.  A  brief  though  brisk 
skirmish  took  place  at  the  ford,  but  the  Rebel  pickets 
were  soon  driven  back  and  our  column  began  to  cross 
over,  the  Harris  Light  being  in  the  van.  On  reach- 
ing the  south  bank  of  the  stream,  the  column  was 
re-formed,  and  we  advanced  for  some  distance  at  a 
gallop. 

The  column  at  Beverly  Ford,  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Gregg,  had  been  engaged  since  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  the  roaring  of  light  arms  and  the  booming  of 
cannon  clearly  indicated  to  us  that  hot  work  was  be- 
ing done  by  our  comrades  below.  It  had  been  hoped 
that  that  column  would  be  able  to  strike  the  enemy 
in  flank  at  Brandy  Station,  in  the  early  part  of  the 
day,  giving  us  an  opportunity  to  rake  them  furiously 
in  front.    Hence  we  were  somewhat  retarded  in  our 


218       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

movements,  waiting  or  expecting  the  combinations 
and  juxtapositions  which  had  been  planned.  But, 
failing  in  this,  at  length  we  advanced  towards  the 
station,  where,  at  ten  o'clock,  we  engaged  a  regiment 
of  Stuart's  cavalry.  As  soon  as  we  reached  the  field 
which  they  had  evidently  selected  for  the  fight,  we 
charged  them  in  a  splendid  manner,  routing  them 
completely,  and  capturing  many  prisoners.  Light 
artillery  was  used  briskly  on  both  sides. 

By  twelve  o'clock  Pleasonton's  entire  force  had 
effected  a  union,  after  much  severe  fighting,  on  the 
left,  and  the  engagement  became  general.  The  in- 
fantry fought  side  by  side  with  the  cavalry.  There 
was  some  grand  manoeuvring  on  that  historic  field, 
and  feats  were  performed  worthy  of  heroes. 

One  incident  should  be  particularized.  At  a  criti- 
cal moment,  when  the  formidable  and  ever-increasing 
hosts  of  the  enemy  were  driving  our  forces  from  a 
desirable  position  we  sought  to  gain,  and  when  it 
seemed  as  though  disaster  to  our  arms  would  be 
fatal,  Kilpatrick's  battle-flag  was  seen  advancing, 
followed  by  the  tried  squadrons  of  the  Harris  Light, 
the  Tenth  New  York,  and  the  First  Maine.  In 
echelons  of  squadrons  his  brigade  was  quickly 
formed,  and  he  advanced  like  a  storm-cloud  upon  the 
Rebel  cavalry  which  filled  the  field  before  him.  The 
Tenth  New  York  received  the  first  shock  of  the 
Rebel  charge,  but  was  hurled  back,  though  not  in 
confusion.  The  Harris  Light  met  with  no  better 
success ;  and,  notwithstanding  their  prestige  and  pow- 
er, they  were  repulsed  under  the  very  eye  of  their 
chief,  whose  excitement  at  the  scene  was  well-nigh 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  219 

Tincontrollable.  His  flashing  eye-  now  turned  to  fhe 
First  Maine,  a  regiment  composed  mostly  of  heavy, 
sturdy  men,  who  had  not  been  engaged  as  yet  during 
the  day ;  and,  riding  to  the  head  of  the  cohimn,  he 
shouted,  Men  of  Maine,  you  must  save  the  day  ! 
Follow  me  !  "  With  one  simultaneous  war-cry  these 
giants  of  the  North  moved  forward  in  one  solid  mass 
upon  the  flank  of  the  Rebel  columns.  The  shock 
was  overwhelming  ;  and  the  opposing  lines  crumbled 
like  a  "  bowing  wall  "  before  this  wild  rush  of  pranc- 
ing horses,  gleaming  sabres,  and  rattling  balls. 

On  rode  Kilpatrick  with  the  men  of  Maine,  and, 
on  meeting  the  two  regiments  of  his  brigade,  which 
bad  been  repulsed  and  were  returning  from  the  front, 
the  General's  voice  sang  out  like  clarion  notes  above 
the  din  of  battle,  "  Back,  the  Harris  Light !  Back, 
the  Tenth  New  York  !  Ee-form  your  squadrons  and 
charge ! "  With  magical  alacrity  the  order  was 
obeyed,  and  the  two  regiments,  which  had  been  so 
humbled  by  their  first  reverse,  now  rushed  into  the 
fight  with  a  spirit  and  success  which  redeemed  them 
from  censure,  and  accounted  them  w^  or  thy  of  their 
gallant  leader.  The  commanding  position  was  won  ; 
a  battery  lost  in  a  previous  charge  was  recaptured, 
and  an  efiectual  blow  was  given  to  the  enemy,  which 
greatly  facilitated  the  movements  which  followed. 

But  the  Eebel  cavalry  was  greatly  emboldened 
and  strengthened  by  reenforcements  of  infantry  which 
w^ere  brought  in  railroad  cars.  We,  however,  contin- 
ued to  press  them  closely  until  six  o'clock,  when,  by 
a  grand  charge  of  our  entire  force,  we  gained  an  im- 
portant position,  which  ended  the  contest. 


220       TKree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

Heavy  eolnmns  of  Rebel  infantry  could  now  be 
distinctly  seen  advancing  over  the  plains  from  the 
direction  of  Culpepper,  to  the  rescue  of  their  fairly- 
beaten  cavalry.  But  it  was  too  late  for  them,  for  we 
had  won  a  splendid  victorj^,  and  had  gained  all  the 
information  of  Eebel  movements  which  we  desired 
to  obtain.  Under  cover  of  the  night  we  recrossed  the 
Kappahannock  in  safety. 

The  whole  command  had  lost  about  five  hundred 
men,  and  we  brought  over  with  us  one  hundred  pris- 
oners. In  the  early  part  of  the  engagement  fell  Colo- 
nel B.  F.  Davis,  of  the  Eighth  New  York  Cavalry, 
who  was  instantly  killed.  His  loss  was  a  subject  of 
general  lamentation.  He  had  distinguished  himself 
for  great  sagacity,  wonderful  powers  of  endurance, 
and  unsurpassed  bravery.  He  it  was  who  led  the 
cavalry  safely  from  Harper's  Ferry  just  before  Miles' 
surrender  of  the  place,  and  who,  on  his  way  to  Penn- 
sylvania, captured  Longstreet's  ammunition-train. 

Among  our  wounded  was  Colonel  Percy  Wynd- 
ham.  The  enemy's  killed  included  Colonel  Saul  Wil- 
liams, of  the  Second  North  Carolina  Cavalry,  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Frank  Hampton,  of  the  South 
Carolina  Cavalry ;  General  W.  H.  F.  Lee  and  Colo- 
nels Butler  and  Harmon  were  among  their  wounded. 
They  acknowledge  a  loss  of  six  hundred  men. 

From  the  Richmond  Sentinel  we  clip  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  battle,  by  a  Eebel  chaplain : 

Camp  in  Culpeppeb  County,  > 
Jane  10,  1863.  J 

Tuesday,  the  ninth  of  June,  will  be  memorable  to  General 
Stuart's  command  as  the  day  on  which  was  fought  the  longest 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  221 


and  most  hotly-contested  cavalry  battle  of  the  war.  At  an 
early  hour  skirmishing  coinmenced,  and  soon  the  commands 
of  Hampton,  the  two  Lees,  Robinson,  and  Jones,  were  engaged 
along  the  whole  Culpepper  line,  from  Welford's  Ford,  on  the 
Hazel,  down  to  Stevensburg.  Each  command  acted  nobly,  and 
the  Yankees  were  forced,  after  a  fight  of  nearly  twelve  hours, 
to  recross  the  river  with  great  losses.  We  have  to  lament  the 
loss  of  many  gallant  officers  and  privates,  some  killed  and  oth- 
ers permanently  disabled.  The  forces  under  W.  H.  F.  Lee,  that 
worthy  descendant  of  "  Old  Light  Horse  Harry,"  bore  no  mean 
part  in  the  fray.  We  have  to  regret  the  temporary  loss  of  our 
general  (W.  H.  F.  Lee),  who  was  wounded  in  the  thigh,  and 
the  death  of  Colonel  Williams  (of  our  brigade),  than  whom  a 
more  elegant  gentleman  or  braver  soldier  never  lived. 

Being  connected  with  the  Tenth  Virginia  Cavalry,  under 
Colonel  J.  Lucius  Davis,  and,  therefore,  better  cognizant  of  its 
conduct,  it  is  not  invidious  to  allude  to  it,  though  not  claiming 
any  superiority  over  other  regiments,  all  of  which  did  nobly. 
Early  iu  the  morning  this  regiment  was  dismounted  for  sharp- 
shooting,  and,  until  ordered  off,  held  its  ground,  though  ex- 
posed to  an  incessant  and  galling  fire  from  the  Fifth  United 
States  Regulars,  who  were  snugly  ensconced  behind  a  stone 
fence.  At  this  point  many  of  the  casualties  in  our  regiment 
occurred.  In  the  afternoon  the  Tenth,  led  by  Colonel  Davis, 
made  a  splendid  charge  on  the  Second  United  States  Regu- 
lars, who,  after  a  hand-to-hand  conflict,  broke  and  fled  inconti- 
nently. Our  General  (Stuart),  whose  praise  is  not  to  be  de- 
spised, paid  a  high  compliment  on  the  field  to  the  Tenth  for  its 
conduct  in  holding  Welford's  Hill,  and  for  its  dashing  charge. 

I  append  a  list  of  casualties  : 

Company  A  (Caskie  Rangers),  commanded  by  Captain 
Robert  Caskie. — Killed:  Kone.  Wounded:  Second  Lieuten- 
ant, J.  Doyle,  slightly  in  head;  Private,  Eytel,  in  breast; 
English,  in  foot ;  Hubbell,  iu  breast ;  Gill,  in  arm  and  shoul- 
der; Wilson,  in  hip.  Missing  and  taken  prisoners:  Privates 
Burton,  Charles  Childress,  Joseph  Childress,  Fulcher,  Hudnall, 
and  Parker.— Total,  12. 


222       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


Company  B,  Captain  W.  B.  Clements. — Killed :  Corporal 
N.  B.  Ellis.  Wounded :  Privates  Anderson  Foster,  severely 
in  thigh ;  P.  J.  Cape,  in  thigh  ;  H.  Foster,  slightly  in  foot ; 
R.  P.  Brewbaker,  slightly  in  head;  A.  Caton,  in  hand. — To- 
tal, 6. 

Company  C,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Richardson. — Kill- 
ed :  None.  Wounded :  Lieutenant  N.  Richardson,  seriously 
through  breast;  Sergeant  J.  Mason,  in  leg;  Corporal  Brown, 
in  arm ;  Privates  J.  B.  King,  slightly  in  thigh  ;  W.  B.  Saw, 
seriously  in  hip  ;  M.  Potter,  in  hand.  Missing :  J.  Shumate. — 
Total,  7. 

Company  D,  absent  on  detached  service. 

Company  E,  commanded  by  Captain  J.  Tucker. — Killed : 
Private  H.  T.  Bourgois.  Wounded :  Corporal  F.  8.  Labit,  in 
shoulder ;  S.  H.  Lamb,  in  hand.  Missing :  Sergeant  Peter 
Smith  (wounded  and  captured)  ;  Sergeant  Stromburg  (wound- 
ed and  captured) ;  Private  Enoch  Pelton. — Total,  6. 

Company  F,  commanded  by  Captain  J.  H.  Dettor. — Killed  : 
G.  Wescott.  Wounded :  Privates  John  White,  in  thigh  ;  John 
E.  Edge,  in  thigh ;  J.  R.  Giles,  in  arm ;  Sergeant  J.  Durret, 
arm. — Total,  5. 

Company  G,  commanded  by  M.  S.  Kirtley. — Killed :  Kone. 
Wounded :  Corporal  J.  M.  McConn,  seriously  in  arm ;  Private 
Jonathan  Shepherd,  slightly  in  head.  Missing:  Private  S. 
Hartley.— Total,  3. 

Company  H,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  S.  K.  Newham. — 
Killed :  None.  Wounded :  Privates  James  O'Connor,  mor- 
tally ;  M.  Neff,  seriously  in  leg.  Missing :  J.  P.  Martz,  R.  F. 
Koontz. — Total,  4. 

Company  I  (Henrico  Light  Dragoons),  commanded  by  Lieu- 
tenant J.  H.  T.  McDowell. — ^Killed :  Private  Louis  Ottenburg. 
Wounded :  Sergeant  S.  L.  McGruder,  slightly  in  shoulder ; 
Corporal  J.  C.  Mann,  slightly  in  leg ;  Privates  Walter  Priest, 
mortally  in  breast ;  George  Waldrop,  slightly  in  shoulder ;  B. 
J.  Duval,  slightly  in  head ;  W.  T.  Thomas,  in  shoulder  slightly. 
—Total,  7. 

Company  K,  commanded  by  Captain  Dickinson. — Killed: 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  223 

None.  Wounded  :  Corporal  J.  L.  Franklin,  in  right  shoulder ; 
Private  J.  M.  Craig^  head,  left  arm  severely;  R.  V.  GrifBn, 
right  shoulder  severely ;  C.  P.  Preston,  slightly  in  nose ;  W. 
T.  Arrington,  breast  slightly ;  T.  E.  Gilbert,  left  arm  slightly. 
Missing :  Sergeant  T.  S.  Holland ;  Privates  E.  A.  Haines  and 
S.  R.  Gilbert.— Total,  9. 

Total  killed,  wouaded,  and  missing,  59. 

J.  B.  Taylok,  Jr.,  Chaplain  Tenth  Virginia  Cavalry^ 

W.  H.  F.  Lee's  Brigade. 

Ty;o  important  ends  were  reached  by  this  ad- 
vance, namely,  first,  a  cavalry  raid  contemplated  by 
Stuart,  who  had  massed  his  forces  near  Culpepper, 
was  utterly  frustrated  ;  and  second.  General  Pleas- 
onton  ascertained  conclusively  that  General  Lee  was 
marching  his  army  northward,  with  the  evident  de- 
sign of  invading  the  Northern  States.  Indeed,  it  was 
a  suspicion  of  such  a  movement  that  led  General 
Hooker  to  order  the  reconnoissance. 

The  day  following  this  glorious  fight,  in  which 
the  men  of  the  North  had  proved  themselves  to  be 
more  than  a  match  for  the  boasted  Southern  chivalry, 
and  had  gained  a  name  which  placed  Pleasonton's 
command  at  the  head  of  the  world's  cavalry  forces, 
Pleasonton  was  made  a  Major-General,  and  Kilpat- 
rick  a  Brigadier.  Their  stars  were  well-deserved  and 
proudly  worn. 

During  the  day  the  Cavalry  Corps  moved  to  War- 
renton  Junction,  leaving  strong  guards  at  the  fords 
of  the  Rappahannock  to  prevent  any  crossing  which 
might  be  attempted  by  the  enemy. 

June  11. — At  two  o'clock  this  afternoon  General 
Gregg  inspected  our  division.  The  day  was  beauti- 
ful, and  the  troopers  made  a  splendid  appearance. 


224:       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

To  heigliten  the  interest  of  the  occasion,  the  colors 
captured  by  the  Harris  Light  at  Urbanna,  and  those 
talcen  by  the  First  Maine  in  their  memorable  charge 
at  Brandy  Station  on  the  ninth  instant,  were  dis- 
played amid  the  cheers  of  the  enthusiastic  cavalry- 
men, whose  past  deeds  give  encouraging  promise  for 
the  future. 

Sunday^  June  14. — We  are  still  encamped  on  the 
plains  near  Warrenton  Junction.  On  the  twelfth 
the  regiment  was  inspected  by  Captain  Armstrong, 
of  Kilpatrick's  staff.  The  following  day  we  had  an 
interesting  mounted-drill.  We  cannot  keep  idle. 
This  afternoon,  at  two  o'clock,  we  received  orders  to 
prepare  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice.  Cannonad- 
ing is  distinctly  lieard  in  the  direction  of  Warrenton. 

For  several  days  it  has  been  expected  that  Gen- 
eral Lee,  with  his  forces,  would  make  his  appearance 
on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  somewhere  below  Har- 
per's Ferry.  But  as  they  have  failed  to  do  so,  the 
inquiry  is  very  general  among  ns,  "  Where  are 
they?"  and,  '-What  do  they  intend?"  To  work 
out  the  answer  to  such  interrogations  is  generally  the 
work  of  the  cavalry;  so  that,  when  our  orders  for 
readiness  to  move  were  received,  we  saw  before  us  a 
reconnoissance  in  force.  We  understand  that  already 
Rebel  cavalry  is  raiding  more  or  less  in  Maryland, 
and  souie  exciting  times  are  expected  before  long. 


/ 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  225 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

SECOND  INVASION  OF  MARYLAND.— GETTYSBURG. 

1863.— -Invasion  of  the  Northern  States.— Kilpatrick  at  Aldie.— Tho 
Bloody  Battle. — Daring  Deeds. — Colonel  Cesnola,  Fourth  New  York 
Cavalry. — Incidents. — Victory. — Advance  to  Ashby's  Gap. — Pleas- 
onton's  Official  Report. — Rebel  Movenients  on  Free  Soil. — Difficultiea 
in  the  North. — The  Cavalry  Corps  Crosses  the  Potomac  at  Edward's 
Ferry. — General  Meade  succeeds  Hooker. — Orders. — Changes  in  the 
Cavalry. — Movements. — Kilpatnck's  Fight  wilh  Stuart  at  Hanover 
Junction. — So!emn  and  Laughable  Scenes. — Buford's  Division  Opens 
the  Fight  at  Gettysburg. — Death  of  General  Reynolds. — First  Day's 
Repulse. — Second  Day. — Rebel  Advantages. — Third  Day.  —  Last 
Grand  Effort. — Death  of  General  Farnsworth. — The  Republic  just 
Saved. 

FOR  nearly  two  days  we  were  prepared  to  march, 
and  aw^aiting  orders,  when  at  last  they  came. 
At  about  six  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  sixteenth 
we  took  lip  our  line  of  march,  which  was  mostly 
along  the  railroad  in  the  direction  of  Manassas. 
Having  arrived  at  these  celebrated  plains,  we  struck 
off  a  little  to  the  left  towards  Centreville,  where  we 
arrived  at  ten  o'clock,  weary  with  the  long  journey. 
Here  we  ascertained  that  General  Hooker's  head- 
quarters are  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  or  in  the  vicin- 
ity, and  that  his  army  covers  the  approaches  to 
"Washington. 

June  17. — After  a  refreshing  night's  rest,  we  were 
up  early  in  the  morning,  and  resumed  our  march  at 


226       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


six  o'clock,  taking  the  Warrenton  Turnpike.  Kil 
patrick  has  the  advance  of  the  coi*ps.  We  soon 
crossed  the  memorable  Holds  of  the  two  Bull  Run 
battles,  passed  the  famous  field  of  Groveton,  and 
there  detlecting  to  the  right,  and  pnsldng  forward 
rapidly,  we  arrived  by  noon  in  sight  of  the  hills 
which  partially  surround  the  village  of  Aldie,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains.  Kilpatrick 
had  been  directed  to  move  through  Aldie,  and  thence 
to  and  through  Ashby's  Gap,  in  the  Blue  Ridge,  learn 
all  he  could  of  the  enemy's  movements,  and,  then  re- 
turning, to  rejoin  the  corps  at  Nolan's  Ferry  on  the 
Potomac.  Colonel  Duffle,  with  his  regiment,  the 
First  Rhode  Island,  was  ordered  to  move  through 
Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  to  join  Kilpatrick  in  Pleasant 
Valley  beyond.  These  plans  were  laid  with  the  pre- 
sumption that  no  very  heavy  force  of  Rebels  re- 
mained north  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  none  at  all 
north  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains.  But  this  was  a 
great  mistake. 

BLOODY  BATTLE  OF  ALDIE. 

James  Moore,  M.  D.,  Surgeon  of  the  Ninth  Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry,  thus  describes  what  occurred  to 
Kilpatrick  and  his  command  at  this  place  : 

"  Scarcely  had  his  advance  reached  the  town  of 
Aldie,  when  it  came  directly  npon  the  advance-guard 
of  W.  H.  F.  Lee.  It  was  entirely  unexpected.  No 
enemy  was  supposed  to  be  on  the  Aldie  side  of  the 
Bull  Run  Mountains. 

"  The  general  rode  to  the  front,  ran  his  eye  over 
the  field  for  a  moment,  and  then  rapidly  gave  his 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  227 

orders.  He  had  taken  in  the  whole  field  at  one  rapid 
glance,  and  saw  the  important  points  that  must  be 
gained.  The  Harris  Light  Cavalry  was  directed  to 
charge  straight  down  the  road,  through  the  town, 
gain  and  hold  the  long,  low  hill  over  which  runs  tlie 
road  from  Middlebiirg.  With  anxious  eye  he  watched 
the  charge,  on  which  so  much  depended,  saw  that  it 
was  successful,  and  quickly  and  resolutely  pushed  in 
one  regiment  after  another  on  the  right  of  the  Harris 
Light,  till  the  high  hills  far  on  the  right  of  Aldie 
were  gained. 

"  This  fine  disposition  was  made,  and  important 
position  won,  before  the  Eebel  General  Fitzhugh  Lee 
could  make  a  single  effort  to  prevent  it,  although  he 
had  a  division  of  cavalry  at  his  back. 

He  soon  recovered,  however,  from  the  tempo- 
rary surprise,  and  for  two  hours  made  most  desperate 
efforts  to  regain  the  position  lost.  He  struck  the 
right,  left,  and  centre  in  quick  succession,  while  his 
battery  of  Blakely  guns  thundered  foilh  their  mes- 
sengers of  death. 

"  But  all  in  vain !  Kilpatrick's  gallant  men — 
the  heroes  of  Brandy  Station — met  and  hurled  back 
each  charge,  while  Randall's  battery,  ignoring  en- 
tirely the  Rebel  guns,  sent  his  canister  and  shells 
tearing  through  the  heavy  columns  of  the  enemy. 

"  On  this  day  Kilpatrick  did  wonders.  He  foughi 
under  the  eye  of  his  chief,  and  where  bullets  flew  the 
thickest,  and  where  the  shock  came  the  heaviest,  there 
rang  his  cheering  voice  and  there  flashed  his  sabre. 
His  own  regiment,  the  Harris  Light,  had  failed  to 
meet  his  hopes  on  the  plains  of  Brandy  Station.  This 


228       Three  Yea/rs  in  the  Federal  Caval/ry. 


was  known  to  the  officers  of  that  splendid  organiza- 
tion, and  on  that  very  morning  they  liad  petitioned 
their  general  for  an  opportunity  to  retrieve  their 
reputation.    The  opportunity  was  at  liand. 

A  large  force  of  the  enemy  occupied  a  strong 
position  behind  rail  barricades  encircling  large  stacks 
of  hay.  For  a  long  time  Rebel  sharp-shooters,  from 
this  secure  position,  had  baffled  every  attempt  to  ad* 
vance  our  lines  on  the  left.  The  general  ordered  up 
a  battalion  of  the  Harris  Light.  Quickly  they  came ! 
Addressing  a  few  encouraging  words  to  the  men,  and 
then  turning  to  Major  Mclrvin,  the  officer  in  com- 
mand, he  said,  pointing  to  the  barricades :  '  Major, 
there  is  the  opportunity  you  have  asked  for.  Go, 
take  that  position ! '  Away  dashed  this  officer  and 
his  men.  In  a  moment  the  enemy  was  reached,  and 
the  struggle  began.  The  horses  could  not  leap  the 
barricade,  but  the  men  dismounted,  scaled  those  for- 
midable barriers,  and,  with  drawn  sabres,  rushed  upon 
the  hidden  foe,  who  quickly  asked  for  quarter. 

Another  incident  occurred  worth  mentioning. 
Colonel  Cesnola,  of  the  Fourth  New  York  Cav- 
alry, had  that  morning,  through  mistake,  been  iDlaced 
under  arrest,  and,  his  sword  being  taken  from  him, 
was  without  arms.  But  in  one  of  these  wild  charges, 
made  early  in  the  contest,  his  regiment  hesitated. 
Foi'getting  that  he  was  under  arrest,  and  without 
command,  he  flew  to  the  head  of  his  regiment,  reas- 
sured his  men,  and,  without  a  weapon  to  give  or 
ward  a  blow,  led  them  to  the  charge.  This  gallant 
act  was  seen  by  his  general,  who,  meeting  him  on  his 
return,  said  :  '  Colonel,  you  are  a  brave  man ;  you  are 


Three  Years  m  the  Federal  Cavalry.  229 


released  from  arrest ; '  and,  taking  his  own  sword 
from  his  side,  liaaded  it  to  the  colonel,  saying : 
'  Here  is  my  sword  ;  wear  it  in  honor  of  this  day  ! ' 
In  the  next  cliarge  Colonel  Cesnola  fell,  desperately 
wounded,  and  was  taken  prisoner. 

The  Rebel  general,  being  foiled  at  every  point, 
resolved  to  make  one  more  desperate  effort.  Silently 
and  quickly  he  massed  a  heavy  force  upon  our  ex- 
treme right,  and,  led  by  General  liosser,  made  one 
of  the  most  desperate  and  determined  charges  of  the 
day.  Kilpatrick  was  aware  of  this  movement,  and 
satisfied  that  his  men,  exhausted  as  they  were,  could 
not  withstand  the  charge,  had  already  sent  for  reen- 
forcements. 

"  Before  these  could  reach  him  the  shock  came. 
The  First  Massachusetts  had  the  right,  and  fought  as 
only  brave  men  could  to  stem  the  tide  that  steadily 
bore  them  back,  until  the  whole  right  gave  way. 
Back  rushed  our  men  in  wild  confusion,  and  on  came 
the  victorious  Rebel  horsemen.  The  general  saw, 
with  anguish,  his  flying  soldiers,  yet  in  his  extremity 
retained  his  presence  of  mind,  and  proved  himself 
worthy  the  star  he  had  won  at  Brandy  Station. 

Sending  orders  for  the  centre  and  left  to  stand 
fast,  he  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  First  Maine, 
sent  to  his  assistance,  and  coolly  waited  till  the  Rebel 
charging  columns  had  advanced  within  fifty  yards  of 
Randall's  guns.  He  then  shouted  '  Forward  ! '  and 
the  same  regiment  that  saved  the  day  at  Braiidy 
Station  was  destined  to  save  the  day  at  Aldie.  Ros- 
ser's  men  could  not  withstand  the  charge,  but  broke 
and  fled  up  the  hill.    The  general's  horse  was  killed 


230       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CaA)alry. 

in  the  charge,  and  here  the  brave  Colonel  Donghty 
fell. 

"  The  general  determined  now  to  complete  the 
victory,  and,  mounting  a  fresh  horse,  he  urged  on 
the  First  Maine  and  First  Massachusetts,  sent  orders 
for  his  whole  line  to  advance,  and  then  sounded  the 
charge.  Lee  struggled  for  a  few  minutes  against  this 
advance,  and  then  ordered  a  retreat,  which  ended  in 
a  rout.  His  troops  were  driven  in  confusion  as  far 
as  Middleburg,  and  night  alone  saved  the  remnant  of 
his  command. 

"  This  was  by  far  the  most  bloody  cavalry  battle 
of  the  war.  The  Rebel  chivalry  had  again  been' 
beaten,  and  Kilpatrick,  who  was  the  only  general  on 
the  field,  at  once  took  a  proud  stand  among  the  most 
famous  of  our  Union  cavalry  generals.  The  fame  of 
our  cavalry  was  now  much  enhanced,  and  caused  the 
greatest  joy  to  the  nation." 

June  18. — General  Pleasonton  was  anxious  to 
press  the  Rebel  cavalry  back  upon  their  infantry,  to 
ascertain  minutely  their  movements  ;  hence,  to-day, 
Kilpatrick  was  ordered  to  advance  through  the  Bull 
Run  Mountains,  and  to  occupy  Middleburg.  Jaded 
as  we  were,  as  well  as  our  horses,  with  the  fearful  yet 
glorious  labors  of  the  previous  day,  with  mercury  up 
to  98"^  Fahrenheit  in  the  shade,  and  122^  in  the  sun, 
with  an  atmosphere  unusually  oppressive  for  Yir- 
ginia,  and  through  dust  which  many  tramping  hoofs 
made  almost  intolerable,  we  marched  into  Pleasant 
Yalley.  The  outpost  of  the  Rebel  cavalry  was  met 
near  the  town,  but  they  were  driven  from  the  streets, 
and  we  took  possession  of  Middleburg. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  231 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  heavy 
wind  arose,  betokening  rain,  which  began  to  fall 
about  five  o'clock,  mingled  with  hail.  For  this  at- 
mospheric  change  we  had  earnestly  prayed.  The 
heat  had  become  so  oppressive,  and  the  roads  so 
dusty,  as  to  make  our  movements  very  unpleasant 
and  disastrous  to  men  and  beasts,  especially  to  the 
latter. 

In  this  beautiful  region  of  country  we  spent  a 
few  days  very  pleasantly,  recruiting  our  strength  and 
awaiting  orders. 

CAVALRY  BATTLE  AT  UPPERVILLE. 

June  21. — The  Cavalry  Corps,  with  General 
Pleasonton  at  its  head,  moved,  at  eight  o'clock  this 
morning,  in  the  direction  of  Ashby's  Gap,  in  the 
Blue  Eidge.  We  had  not  proceeded  far  before  we 
encountered  the  Eebel  pickets,  which  we  drove 
steadily  before  us.  Their  strength,  however,  greatly 
increased  as  we  advanced.  Quite  a  large  force  con- 
tested our  progress  wheil  we  entered  Carrtown,  and 
from  this  place  to  Upperville  the  engagement  was  a 
little  too  heavy  to  be  called  a  skirmish,  l^everthe- 
less,  we  pushed  ahead  without  being  seriously  re- 
tarded until  we  reached  Upperville.  Here  our  ad- 
vance was  met  with  great  desperation,  the  enemy 
charging  us  handsomely,  but  with  no  great  damage. 
When  our  forces  had  been  properly  arranged,  and 
the  right  time  had  come,  Kilpatrick  was  ordered  to 
charge  the  town.  With  drawn  sabres — weapons  in 
which  the  general  always  had  great  confidence,  and 
generally  won  success — and  with  yells  which  made 
10 


282       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Oavalry. 

the  mountains  and  plains  resound,  we  rushed  upon 
the  foe.  The  fraj  was  terrible.  Several  times  did 
the  Rebels  break,  but,  being  reenforced  or  failing 
back  upon  some  better  position,  again  endeavored  to 
baffle  our  efforts.  But  they  were  not  equal  to  the 
task,  and  we  drove  tliem  through  the  village  of 
Paris,  and  finally  through  Ashby's  Gap,  upon  their 
infantry  columns  in  the  Shenandoah  Yalley.  In 
these  charges  and  chase  we  captured  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  four  caissons,  several  stand  of  small  arms,, 
and  a  large  number  of  prisoners. 

It  was  my  misfortune,  in  one  of  those  desperate 
encounters,  to  have  a  favorite  horse  shot  under  me. 
But  it  was  also  my  fortune  to  escape  from  the  deadly 
missiles  which  filled  the  air,  and  from  my  fallen  horse, 
unhurt.  Another  animal  was  soon  provided  for  me 
from  the  captures  we  had  made. 

Our  scouts,  during  this  engagement,  had  managed 
to  gain  an  entrance  into  the  Valley,  where  they  ascer- 
tained that  the  Rebel  army,  in  heavy  columns,  was 
advancing  towards  the  Upper  Potomac. 

This  fight  was  of  sufficient  importance  to  call 
forth  from  the  commanding  general  the  following 
official  document : 

Headquarters  Cavalry  Corps,  \ 
Camp  near  Upperville,  5.20  p.  m.,  June  21.  j 
Brigadier-  General  S.  Williams  : 

General  :  I  moved  with  my  command  this  morning  to 
Middleburg,  and  attacked  the  cavaby  force  of  the  Rebels 
under  Stuart,  and  steadily  drove  him  all  day,  inflicting  a  heavy 
loss  at  every  step. 

I  drove  him  through  Upperville  into  Ashby's  Gap. 

We  took  two  pieces  of  artillery,  one  being  a  Blakely  gun, 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  233 


aDd  three  caissons,  besides  blowing  up  one  ;'  also,  upwards  of 
sixty  prisoners,  and  more  are  coming ;  a  lieutenant-colonel, 
major,  and  five  other  officers,  besides  a  wounded  colonel  and 
a  large  number  of  wounded  Eebels  left  in  the  town  of  Upper- 
ville. 

They  left  their  dead  and  wounded  upon  the  field ;  of  the 
former  I  saw  upward  of  twenty. 

"We  also  took  a  large  number  of  carbines,  pistols,  and 
sabres.  In  fact,  it  was  a  most  disastrous  day  to  the  Eebel 
cavalry. 

Our  loss  has  been  very  small  both  in  men  and  horses. 

I  never  saw  the  troops  behave  better,  or  under  more  diffi- 
cult circumstances. 

Very  heavy  charges  were  made,  and  the  sabre  used  freely, 
but  always  with  great  advantage  to  us. 

A.  Pleasonton, 

Brigadier-  General, 

The  day  following  this  decided  victory  by  force 
of  arms,  and  by  the  stratagem  of  scouts,  who  ob- 
tained all  needful  information  as  to  the  intentions  of 
the  enemy,  the  Cavalry  Corps  retired  from  Ashby's 
Gap  and  established  its  headquarters  at  Aldie.  Our 
outposts  are  near  Middleburg.  We  are  now  receiv- 
ing some  exciting  news  from  Maryland  and  the 
North.  It  appears  that  Eebel  cavalry  was  raiding 
through  Maryland,  destroying  railroads  and  bridges, 
telegraph  lines  and  depots,  and  making  havoc  on  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal  as  early  as  the  fifteenth 
instant ;  and  that  General  Ewell,  with  a  corps  of  in- 
fantry, crossed  the  Potomac  at  Williamsport  on  the 
sixteenth,  and  advanced  via  Hagerstown  towards 
Pennsylvania. 

A  sad  and  distressing  alarm  seems  to  have  aroused 
the  North.    General  Lee's  advance  thus  far,  except- 


'  234       Three  Yea/rs  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

ing  the  repulses  of  his  cavalry  on  his  right  flank,  has 
been  a  perfect  success.  It  is  true  that  Washington, 
the  glittering  prize  before  him,  has  been  protected 
by  General  Hooker's  cautious  movements.  But  this 
protection  of  the  Capital  has  consumed  time  and 
given  the  enemy  a  decided  advantage  in  other  quar- 
ters. He  had  already  entered'the  Free  States  before 
we  fairly  understood  his  intentions. 

Winchester,  an  important  post  in  the  Shenandoah 
Yalley,  guarded  by  General  Milroy,  was  nearly  sur- 
rounded by  the  advancing  Eebel  hordes,  before  our 
general  even  dreamed  that  he  was  in  jeopardy.  The 
few  of  our  men  who  escaped  from  that  garrison,  were 
greatly  demoralized,  while  about  four  thousand  were 
made  prisoners,  and  many  heavy  guns,  small  arms, 
wagons,  horses,  and  stores  of  all  kinds  fell  into  the 
enemy's  hands. 

^hese  blunders  on  our  part  and  losses,  together 
with  the  prowess  and  boast  of  the  Eebel  legions,  gave 
the  malcontents  of  the  North,  and  political  tricksters, 
a  coveted  opportunity  to  rail  against  the  Administra- 
tion, and  to  weaken,  as  far  as  their  influence  could 
be  felt,  the  confidence  which  had  been  reposed  in  it. 
The  President  was  represented  as  an  imbecile,  utterly 
devoid  of  statesmanship.  The  army  was  berated  with 
no  measured  terms.  Every  reverse  of  fortune  was  at- 
tributed to  a  want  of  brains  and  heart  in  the  heads 
of  departments.  The  Eepublic  had  certainly  fallen 
upon  dark  days. 

General  Lee,  undoubtedly,  expected  to  make  cap- 
ital out  of  this  state  of  things,  and  hoped  that  by  win- 
ning a  grand  victory  on  ISTorthern  soil,  so  to  cripple 


Three  Yea/rs  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  235 

the  Administration  and  to  demoralize  the  political 
party  in  power,  that  he  conld  secure  the  aid  and 
comfort  of  the  opposing  party,  and  thns  compel  the 
North  to  submit  to  any  terms  of  peace  which  the  an- 
omalous Confederacy  might  dictate. 

Notwithstanding  the  threatening  posture  of  mil 
itary  affairs,  and  that  the  Government  was  thoroughly 
alarmed  and  ordered  -out  the  militia  of  Maryland, 
Pennsylvania,  New-  York,  Ohio,  West  Yirginia,  and 
other  States,  the  call  being  faithfully  reechoed  by 
the  Governors  of  those  States,  the  responses  were 
comparatively  faint  and  fell  far  short  of  the  mimbers 
which  had  been  demanded.  New  York  City  alone 
responded  generously.  The  uniformed  and  disciplined 
regiments  there  generally  and  promptly  went  to  the 
contest,  and  appeared  where  they  were  needed.  For 
this  the  Governor  of  the  State  was  publicly  thanked 
by  the  Secretary  of  War. 

June  25. — We  are  informed  that  our  infantry  and 
artillery,  with  small  detachments  of  cavalry,  are  ad- 
vancing through  Maryland  to  meet  and  repel  the  in- 
vaders, who  are  reported  to  be  crossing  the  Potomac 
in  two  heavy  columns  at  Shepherdstown  and  Wil- 
liam sport.  Every  department  of  the  service  seems  to 
be  in  commotion,  and  great  things  are  expected.  A 
heavy  rain  set  in  early  this  evening. 

June  26. — At  six  o'clock  this  morning  we  broke 
camp  at  Aldie  and  advanced  towards  Leesburg,  spend- 
ing the  night  near  this  place.  Most  of  our  time  has 
been  spent  in  the  saddle.  This  is  becoming  not  only 
our  seat,  but  also  our  bed  and  pillow. 

June  27. — At  five  o'clock  a.  m.  our  corps  com- 


236       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

menced  its  marcli  towards  Edward's  Terry,  on  tlie 
Potomac.  On  onr  way  to  the  ferry  we  crossed  the 
famous  battle-field  of  Ball's  BlutF,  where  Colonel 
Baker  and  many  of  his  gallant  Californians  became 
an  early  and  costly  sacrifice  to  the  cause  of  the 
Union. 

On  reaching  the  river- we  found  the  two  pontoon 
bridges  over  which  already  a  large  portion  of  our 
array  had  passed  on  before  us.  They  had  been  much 
retarded  by  the  heavy  rains  and  mud.  The  ap- 
proaches to  the  pontoons  had  been  so  trodden  by  the 
myriad  feet  of  men  and  beasts,  and  cut  by  the  heavy 
wheels  of  laden  wagons  and  artillery,  that  we  found 
the  roads  almost  bottomless.  But  as  we  had  seen 
mud  many  times  before,  we  moved  forward  undis- 
mayed, though  somewhat  retarded,  and  were  soon  on 
Northern  soil.  A  somewhat  strange  feeling  came 
over  us  on  finding  ourselves  marching  mainly  to- 
wards the  North  Star  to  meet  the  enemy,  whereas 
we  had  so  long  been  accustomed  to  look  and  march 
only  southward  for  this  purpose. 

Our  march  lay  through  a  fine  and  fertile  section 
of  country.  The  vast  fields  of  grain  are  ripening  for 
the  harvest,  and  their  appearance  indicates  that  thus 
far  the  labors  of  the  husbandman  have  not  been  in 
vain.  The  peacefulness  of  the  fields  and  fiocks  pre- 
sents a  striking  contrast  to  the  warlike  preparations 
which  are  now  being  made  for  what  must  be  the  most 
decisive  and  bloody  contest  of  the  war.  The  rebel- 
lion seems  to  have  risked  its  very  existence  in  the 
coming  conflict,  which  cannot  be  many  days  hence. 
Determination  and  desperation  seem  foremost  in  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  237 

movement.  On  our  side  a  solemn  decision  seems  to 
be  actuating  the  masses.  We  know  that  should  the 
Stars  and  Bars  "  be  victorious  again,  and  at  this 
crisis  of  our  national  affairs,  as  they  were  at  the  two 
Bull  Kun  battles,  and  at  Chancellorsville,  our  "  Stars 
and  Stripes  "  will  not  only  be  shamefully  humbled, 
but  suffer  cruel  elimination.  In  such  an  event  some 
of  our  stars  must  fall  and  some  of  the  beams  of  our 
light  must  be  obscured. 

"  But  conquer  we  must,  for  our  cause  it  is  just, 
And  this  be  our  motto,  *  In  God  is  our  trust.' 
And  the  star-spangled  banner  in  triumph  shall  wave 
O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

Sunday^  June  28. — All  night  long  we  were  on 
the  march,  arriving  in  the  vicinity  of  Frederick  City 
early  in  the  morning.  The  whole  country  for  miles 
seems  to  be  covered  with  soldiers.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  spots  in  the  world.  However,  the  city 
does  not  show  the  thrift  and  prosperity  which  are  evi- 
denced in  Northern  cities  enjoying  similar  advantages. 
This  is  the  capital  of  Frederick  County,  one  of  the 
richest  in  the  State.  Looking  southward  from  the 
city  we  behold  an  almost  interminable  stretch  of 
beautiful  rolling  land,  nearly  every  inch  of  which  is 
not  only  arable  but  richly  productive.  On  the  east, 
at  a  distance  of  several  miles,  the  eye  rests  upon  a 
range  of  hills  which  sweep  downward  toward  the 
Potomac,  terminating  in  the  lofty  peak  called  Sugar- 
loaf.  Westward  rises  the  loftier  chain  of  the  Catoc- 
tin,  which  is  but  a  continuation  of  the  Bull  Eun 
Mountains,  severed  by  the  river  at  Point  of  Kocks. 
All  the  highest  peaks  of  these  hills  and  mountains 


238       TJiree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

are  now  used  for  signal  stations,  where  wave  the  sig- 
nal flags  by  day  and  flash  the  signal  fires  by  night. 
One  seldom  wearies  in  watching  these  operations, 
though  he  may  not  understand  their  significance. 

CHANGE  OF  COMMANDERS. 
This  has  been  a  day  of  mnch  interest  among  ns 
and  of  no  little  excitement — a  day  of  changes  and  re- 
organization. An  exciting  rumor  was  bandied  from 
man  to  man  this  morning,  that  General  Hooker  was 
about  to  be  relieyed  from  the  command  of  the  grand 
army ;  and  the  day  was  only  partly  spent  when  the 
strange  rumor  resolved  itself  into  the  astounding 
truth.  The  facts  which  led  to  this  result  may  not  be 
perfectly  understood  among  us,  but  appear  to  be 
about  as  follows  :  On  discovering  that  the  enemy  had 
actually  invaded  the  Northern  States,  General  Hook- 
er requested  the  authorities  to  send  him  all  the  forces 
which  could  be  spared  from  General  Heintzleman's 
command  in  and  about  the  Defenses  of  Washington. 
This  was  done.  But,  having  crossed  the  Potomac, 
General  Plooker  visited  Harper's  Ferry  with  its  strong 
garrison,  and  immediately  urged  upon  the  Govern- 
ment the  importance  of  placing  this  force  also  under 
his  command.  Upon  this  subject  there  sprang  up  a 
sharp  controversy  between  Hooker  and  Halleck.  The 
latter  rejoined  to  the  former  in  these  words : 

Maryland  Heights  have  always  been  regarded 
as  an  important  point  to  be  held  by  us,  and  much  ex- 
pense and  labor  incurred  in  fortifying  them.  I  can- 
not approve  of  their  abandonment,  except  in  case  of 
absolute  necessity." 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  239 


General  Hooker's  reply  to  this  shows  him  to  have 
been  in  the  right,  and  to  have  comprehended  the  rela- 
tive importance  of  the  position  in  question  : 

I  have  received  your  telegram  in  regard  to  Har- 
per's Ferry.  I  find  ten  thousand  men  here  in  con- 
dition to  take  the  field.  Here  they  are  of  no  earthly 
account.  They  cannot  defend  a  ford  of  the  river ; 
and,  so  far  as  Harper's  Ferry  is  concerned,  there  is 
nothing  of  it.  As  for  the  fortifications,  the  work  of 
the  troops,  they  remain  when  the  troops  are  with- 
drawn. This  is  my  opinion.  All  the  public  prop- 
erty could  have  been  secured  to-night,  and  the  troops 
marched  to  where  they  could  have  been  of  some 
service.  Now  they  are  but  a  bait  for  the  Eebels, 
should  they  return.  I  beg  that  this  may  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  his  Excellency, 
the  President." 

Receiving  no  direct  reply  to  this  announcement, 
and  goaded  by  the  pressure  of  fast-moving  events, 
our  General  yielded  to  do  what  many  of  us  heartily 
condemn,  by  sending  the  following  message  : 

Sandy  Hook,  Md.,  ) 
June  27,  1863.  f 

Major-General  H,      Halleck^  Q eneral-in- Chief  : 

My  original  instructions  require  me  to  cover  Harper's  Ferry 
and  Washington.  I  have  now  imposed  upon  me,  in  addition, 
an  enemy  in  my  front  of  more  than  my  numbers.  I  beg  to  be 
understood  respectfuHy,  but  firmly,  that  I  am  unable  to  comply 
with  this  condition,  with  the  means  at  my  disposal,  and  ear- 
nestly request  that  I  may  at  once  be  relieved  from  the  position 
I  occupy. 

Joseph  Hooker,  Major- General, 
To-day  came  the  order  relieving  General  Hooker, 


240 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


who  issued  the  following  characteristic  farewell  ad- 
dress to  the  troops,  many  of  whom  were  taken  wholly 
by  surprise,  and  all  of  them  appeared  greatly  af- 
flicted : 

Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac,  ) 
l^^rederick,  Md.,  June  28,  1863.  J 

In  conformity  with  the  orders  of  the  War  Department, 

dated  June  27,  1863,  I  relinquish  the  command  of  the  Army 

of  the  Potomac.    It  is  transferred  to  Major-General  George  G. 

Meade,  a  brave  and  accomplished  officer,  who  has  nobly  earned 

the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  army  on  many  a  well-fought 

field.    Impressed  wdth  the  belief  that  my  usefulness  as  the 

commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  is  impaired,  I  part 

from  it,  yet  not  without  the  deepest  emotions.    The  sorrow  of 

parting  with  the  comrades  of  so  many  battles  is  relieved  by 

the  conviction  that  the  courage  and  devotion  of  this  army  will 

never  cease  nor  fail ;  that  it  will  yield  to  my  successor,  as  it 

has  to  me,  a  willing  and  hearty  support.    With  the  earnest 

prayer  that  the  triumph  of  this  army  may  bring  successes 

worthy  of  it  and  the  nation,  I  bid  it  farewell. 

Joseph  Hooker,  Major- General. 

Such  a  change  of  regime  on  the  eve  of  a  great 
battle,  with  the  command  in  the  hands  of  one  less 
known  and  trusted,  at  first  seemed  to  threaten  dis- 
aster. But  the  modest,  earnest  words  with  which  the 
new  commander  framed  his  first  order  to  the  troops 
allayed  all  fears,  renewed  confidence,  and  greatly 
attached  to  him  the  hearts  of  his  subordinates. 

Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac,  ) 
June  28,  1863.  f 

By  direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  I  hereby 
assume  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  As  a  soldier, 
in  obeying  this  order — an  order  totally  unexpected  and  un- 
solicited— I  have  no  promises  or  pledges  to  make.   The  coun- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  241 


try  looks  to  this  army  to  relieve  it  firom  the  devastation  and 
disgrace  of  a  hostile  invasion.  Whatever  fatigues  and  sacri- 
fices we  may  be  called  to  undergo,  let  us  have  in  view  con- 
stantly the  magnitude  of  the  interests  involved,  and  let  each 
man  determine  to  do  his  duty,  leaving  to  an  all-controlling 
^  Providence  the  decision  of  the  contest.  It  is  with  just  diffi- 
dence that  I  relieved,  in  the  command  of  this  army,  an  eminent 
and  accomplished  soldier,  whose  name  must  ever  appear  con- 
spicuous in  the  history  of  its  achievements ;  but  I  rely  upon 
the  hearty  support  of  my  companions  in  arms  to  assist  me  in 
the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  important  trust  which  has 
been  confided  to  me. 

George  G.  Meade, 

Major-  General  Commanding. 

This  change  of  commanders  was  followed  by  oth- 
ers in  various  branches  of  the  service,  not  excepting 
the  Cavalry  Corps.  Our  force  has  been  increased  by 
General  Julius  Stahil's  division,  which  has  been  em- 
ployed for  some  time  in  the  yicinity  of  Fairfax  Court 
House,  and  along  the  line  of  the  Orange  and  Alex- 
andria Railroad.  In  the  reorganization,  the  corps, 
which  continues  under  the  efHcient  command  of  Gen- 
eral Pleasonton,  is  arranged  into  three  divisions,  the 
First,  Second,  and  Third,  commanded  respectively  by 
Generals  Buford,  Gregg,  and  Kilpatrick.  A  more 
effective  cavalry  force  was  never  organized  on  this 
continent,  and  probably  on  no  other. 

The  Harris  Light  is  assigned  to  General  Gregg's 
division,  which  separates  us,  for  the  first  time,  from 
our  former  beloved  commander.  But  we  are  not 
among  those  who  desire  to  shirk  responsibility  for 
any  such  cause  as  this.  After  the  division  had  been 
reorganized  and  reviewed,  in  the  afternoon  we  took 


242       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

up  our  line  of  marcli  to  JSTew  Market.  Some  rain 
fell  towards  night,  which  laid  the  dust  and  allayed 
the  heat.  Men  and  horses  are  living  well  upon  the 
rich  products  of  the  country.  Upon  such  supplies 
we  rely  mainly,  though  our  trains  are  not  wholly 
destitute. 

We  are  received  with  more  or  less  enthusiasm 
and  demonstrations  of  patriotism  in  nearly  all  the 
towns  we  visit,  making  a  very  striking  contrast  with 
our  former  receptions  in  cities  and  towns  of  Vir- 
ginia. This  gives  our  men  additional  courage,  and 
nerves  us  for  the  conflicts  impending. 

June  29. — ^We  have  been  in  the  saddle  nearly  all 
day,  scouting  the  country  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Westminster.  On  the  morning  of  the  thirtieth,  about 
nine  o'clock,  the  regiment  entered  this  pleasant  town, 
the  citizens  flocking  from  all  directions  to  pay  us 
their  respects,  and  to  show  their  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  the  Union.  After  a  short  halt  we  advanced  to 
Manchester. 

July  1. — To-day  we  marched  to  Hanover  Junc- 
tion, Pennsylvania,  where  we  met  the  enemy's  cav- 
alry under  General  John  Jenkins,  and,  after  a  spirited 
skirmish,  they  were  forced  to  retire. 

The  Pennsylvanians  welcomed  us  with  glad  cheers, 
and  showed  their  appreciation  of  our  presence  and  ser- 
vices by  driving  several  "  huckster's  wagons  "  into 
our  midst,  well  laden  with  a  great  variety  of  eat- 
ables, which  were  donated  to  us  by  the  good  citi- 
zens of  the  surrounding  country.  It  is  true  that  some 
of  the  inhabitants  made  their  gifts  very  sparingly  and 
not  without  grudging,  while  others  charged  enormous 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  243 

prices  for  siicli  articles  as  we  were  willing  to  pur- 
chase ;  but  justice  demands  that  we  state  that  such 
inhospitable,  unpatriotic,  and  niggardly  souls  were 
the  exception. 

"While  here  we  learned  the  particulars  of  import- 
ant movements  made  by  other  portions  of  our  cavalry. 
Kilpatrick,  with  his  vigorous  division,  left  the  vicinity 
of  Frederick  on  Monday ;  and,  striking  northward,  he 
passed  through  Taneytown,  reaching  Littletown  about 
ten  o'clock  at  night,  where  he  was  received  in  the 
midst  of  great  rejoicing.  A  large  group  of  children 
and  young  ladies,  gayly  attired,  on  the  balcony  of  a 
hotel,  waving  handkerchiefs  and  flags,  greeted  their 
defenders  with  patriotic  songs,  while  the  heroic  troop- 
ers responded  with  cheers  which  made  the  welkin 
ring.  The  command  bivouacked  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  village,  where  the  citizens  brought  abundant  for- 
age for  the  horses,  and  the  cavalrymen  rested  till 
morning.  The  march  was  then  resumed  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Hanover. 

The  column,  which  was  several  miles  in  length, 
entered  this  beautiful  town,  and  was  passing  through, 
while  the  citizens  were  regaling  the  men  sumptuously 
from  their  bountifully  provided  larders,  and  inter- 
changing friendly  and  patriotic  greetings,  neither 
party  suspecting  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  ISTearly 
one  half  the  column  had  already  passed  through,  when 
suddenly  the  quiet,  social  scene  was  disturbed  by  the 
opening  of  a  Eebel  battery  concealed  on  a  wood- 
crowned  hill,  and  so  posted  as  to  rake  a  portion  of  the 
road  upon  which  the  Union  forces  entered  the  town. 
This  was  immediately  followed  by  a  charge  of  Rebel 


244       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CoA^al/ry, 

cavalry,  which  had  been  drawn  np  in  line  of  battle 
just  behind  a  chain  of  hills  which  ran  near  and  par- 
allel to  the  highway.  There  they  had  quietly  waited 
until  the  train  was  passing  before  them,  with  the  hope 
that  this  might  be  captured  or  stampeded,  and  a  glo- 
rious victory  be  won.  General  Stuart  commanded  in 
person,  and  the  attack  was  certainly  well  planned. 
But  Kilpatrick's  boys  were  not  to  be  disconcerted  nor 
panic-stricken  by  any  such  or  any  other  trap.  The 
main  force  of  the  charging  column  happened  to  be  in 
the  rear  of  the  Fifth  New  York,  commanded  by  Major 
Hammond.  Quick  work  was  necessary.  Rapidly 
moving  out  of  the  street  into  the  open  park  near  the 
railroad  depot.  Major  Hammond  drew  his  regiment  in 
line  of  battle,  and  in  nearly  as  short  time  as  it  takes 
to  record  it,  charged  with  drawn  sabres  the  Rebels, 
who  then  possessed  the  town.  The  charging  columns 
met  on  Frederick  street,  where  a  fierce  and  bloody 
hand-to-hand  contest  ensued.  For  a  few  moments  the 
enemy  made  heroic  resistance,  but  soon  broke  and 
fled,  closely  pursued.  They  rallied  again  and  again 
as  fresh  regiments  came  to  their  aid,  but  they  were 
met,  hurled  back,  and  pursued  with  irresistible  on- 
sets, which  compelled  them  to  retire  not  only  from  the 
town,  but  also  behind  the  hills  under  cover  of  their 
batteries. 

In  less  than  fifteen  minutes  from  the  time  the 
Rebels  charged  into  the  village  they  were  driven  from 
it,  leaving  the  streets  strewn  with  their  dead  men  and 
horses,  and  the  debris  which  always  accompanies  such 
a  conflict.  TTie  dead  of  both  parties  lay  promiscu- 
ously about  the  street,  so  covered  with  blood  and  dust 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  245 

as  to  render  identification  in  some  cases  very  diflScnlt. 
The  Hue  of  the  Union  and  the  gray  of  Eebellion  were 
almost  entirely  obliterated,  and,  in  many  instances, 
the  contending  parties  mingled  their  blood  in  one 
common  pool. 

This  work  of  destruction  had  but  just  commenced 
when  Generals  Kilpatrick  and  Farnsworth,  who, 
though  some  miles  distant  at  the  head  of  the  column 
when  the  booming  cannon  announced  the  bloody  fray, 
arrived  in  hot  haste  and  took  j)ersonal  charge  of  the 
mov^ements.  These  were  ordered  with  consummate 
skill,  and  executed  with  promptness  and  success. 
Elder's  battery,  well  posted  on  the  hills  facing  the 
Rebels,  and  well  supported,  soon  silenced  the  guns  of 
the  enemy,  and  drove  him  in  the  direction  of  Lee's 
main  army.  He  was  thoroughly  punished  for  his 
audacious  attack,  and  left  many  dead,  wounded,  and 
captured.  The  colors  of  the  Thirteenth  Virginia 
Cavalry  w^ere  captured  by  a  sergeant  of  the  Fifth 
New  York.  About  seventy-five  prisoners,  beside  the 
wounded,  fell  into  our  hands,  including  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Payne,  who  commanded  a  brigade. 

The  particulars  of  his  capture  are  worthy  of  his- 
toric record.  In  one  of  the  charges  made  in  the  edge 
of  the  town,  one  of  our  boys,  by  the  name  of  Abram 
Folger,  was  captured  by  Colonel  Payne,  and  marched 
toward  the  rear.  Just  outside  the  town  was  a  large 
brick  tannery,  the  vats  of  which  were  not  under  cover, 
and  close  alongside  of  the  highway.  Folger  was 
walking  beside  the  Colonel's  orderly.  As  they  ap- 
proached the  tan-vats  he  espied  a  carbine  lying  on  the 
ground.    Quick  as  thought  he  seized  it,  fired,  and 


246       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

killed  Payne's  horse.  The  animal,  in  his  death-strag- 
gle, plunged  over  towards  the  vats,  and  Payne  was 
thrown  headlong  into  one  of  them,  being  completely 
submerged  in  the  tan-liquid.  Folger,  feeling  that  the 
Colonel  was  secure  enough  for  the  moment,  levelled 
his  piece  on  the  orderly,  who,  finding  that  his  pistol 
was  fouled  and  hence  useless,  attempted  to  jump  his 
horse  over  the  fence,  but  not  succeeding,  surrendered. 
It  happened,  however,  that  Folger  had  expended  the 
last  shot  in  the  carbine  on  the  Colonel's  horse ;  but, 
as  the  orderly  did  not  know  it,  it  was  just  as  well  for 
Folger  as  though  more  ammunition  had  been  on 
hand. 

The  recently -made  prisoner  was  compelled  to  assist 
his  Colonel  from  the  vat.  His  gray  uniform,  with 
white  velvet  trimmings,  his  white  gauntlets,  and  his 
face  and  hair  had  received  a  brief  but  thorough  tan- 
ning. Folger  marched  the  two  in  front  of  him  to 
the  market-place  in  the  centre  of  the  village,  where 
he  delivered  his  captives  to  the  authorities.  In  one 
hand  the  brave  soldier-boy  carried  his  empty  carbine, 
and  in  the  other  a  good  strong  stick.  It  was  a  most 
ludicrous  and  interesting  scene.  Folger  was  captured 
by  Payne's  command,  in  Virginia,  the  winter  before 
this  affair,  and  his  feelings  may  be  imagined  at  hav- 
ing so  nicely  returned  the  compliment. 

The  citizens  of  Hanover,  who  so  nobly  cared  for 
our  wounded  in  the  hospitals  during  and  after  the 
battle,  and  assisted  us  in  burying  our  dead,  will  not 
soon  forget  that  terrible  last  day  of  June.  Our  brave 
boys,  who,  though  taken  by  surprise,  had  so  valiantly 
defeated  the  enemy,  built  their  bivouac  fires  and  rest- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  347 

ed  for  the  night  on  the  field  of  their  recent  victory. 
Stuart's  cavalry  was  now  losing  caste,  while  our  troop- 
ers were  not  only  adding  fresh  laurels  to  their  chap- 
let  of  renown,  but  also  new  fibres  of  vitality  to  the 
hearts  and  hands  which  loved  and  defended  the  sacred 
Tree  of  Liberty. 

FIRST  DAY  AT  GETTYSBURG. 

General  Buford,  with  his  division,  had  moved 
from  Frederick  City  directly  to  Gettysburg,  the  capi- 
tal of  Adams  County,  a  rural  village  of  about  three 
thousand  inhabitants,  beautifully  situated  among  the 
hills,  which,  though  quite  lofty,  are  generally  well 
cultivated.  The  general  found  the  borough  very 
quiet,  and  passed  through  ;  but  he  had  not  proceeded 
far  beyond  before  he  met  the  van  of  the  Rebel  army 
under  General  Heth,  of  Hill's  Corps.  The  dauntless 
troopers  charged  furiously  the  invading  hordes,  and 
drove  them  back  upon  their  supports,  where  our  boys 
were  driven  back  in  their  turn  before  overwhelming 
numbers.  As  Providence  would  have  it,  our  infantry 
advance,  under  General  James  S.  Wadsworth,  march- 
ing from  the  village  of  Emmitsburg,  hearing  the 
familiar  sound  of  battle,  went  into  a  double-quick, 
and,  hastening  through  Gettysburg,  struck  the  ad- 
vancing Rebel  column  just  in  time  to  seize  and  occu- 
py the  range  of  hills  that  overlooks  the  place  from 
the  northwest,  in  the  direction  of  Chambersburg. 

General  John  F.  Reynolds,  a  true  Pennsylvanian, 
was  in  command  of  our  entire  advance,  which  consist- 
ed of  the  First  and  Eleventh  Corps,  about  twenty-two 
thousand  strong.    As  General  Wadsworth  was  placing 


248       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

his  division  in  position.  General  Reynolds  went  for- 
ward quite  alone  to  reconnoitre,  when  he  discovered  a 
heavy  force  of  the  enemy  in  a  grove  not  far  distant. 
Dismounting  quickly  he  crouched  down  by  a  fence 
through  which  he  sought  to  survey  the  force  and  its 
position  by  means  of  his  field-glass,  when  a  whistling 
ball  from  a  sharpshooter's  musket  struck  him  in  the 
neck.  He  fell  on  his  face  and  baptized  with  his  life- 
blood  the  soil  which  had  given  him  birth.  His  un- 
timely fall,  especially  at  this  crisis  and  almost  in  sight 
of  his  childhood's  home,  was  generally  lamented.  His 
lifeless  form  was  borne  away  to  the  rear  just  as  the 
Rebels  in  heavy  force  advanced  upon  not  more  than 
one-third  their  number. 

General  Abner  Doubleday  had  to  assume  command 
of  our  forces  under  this  galling  fire,  having  arrived 
with  a  portion  of  the  First  Corps,  the  remainder  of 
which  and  the  Eleventh  Corps,  not  being  able  to  join 
them  until  two  hours  of  fearful  destruction  had  gone 
on.  Our  feeble  advance  was  compelled  to  fall  quickly 
back  upon  Seminary  Hill,  just  west  of  the  village,  and 
were  pursued  very  closely,  so  much  so  that  one  por- 
tion of  our  line,  seeing  its  opportunity,  swung  around 
rapidly,  enveloping  the  Rebel  advance  and  capturing 
General  Archer  the  leader  and  about  eight  hundred 
prisoners.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Eleventh  Corps, 
General  O.  O.  Howard,  being  the  ranking  oflBcer  pres- 
ent, assumed  command,  giving  his  place  to  General 
Carl  Schurz.  Our  men,  now  emboldened  by  these 
fresh  arrivals  of  helpers,  and  having  alighted  upon  a 
fine  commanding  position,  renewed  the  fight  with 
spirit  and  wonderful  success.    This  prosperous  tide  of 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  249 

things  continued  nntil  about  one  o'clock  p.  m.,  when 
their  right  wing  was  assailed  furiously  by  fresh  troops, 
which  proved  to  be  General  Ewell's  Corps,  which  had 
been  marching  from  York,  directed  by  the  thunder 
of  battle. 

Thus  flanked  and  outnumbered  by  the  gathering 
hosts,  the  Eleventh  Corps,  which  was  most  exposed  to 
the  enfilading  fire  of  the  newly  arrived  columns, 
began  to  waver,  then  to  break,  and  soon  fled  in  perfect 
rout.  The  First  Corps  was  thus  compelled  to  follow, 
or  be  annihilated.  The  two  retreating  columns  met 
and  mingled  in  more  or  less  confusion  in  the  streets 
of  the  town,  where  they  greatly  obstructed  each  other, 
though  the  First  Corps  retained  its  organization  quite 
unbroken.  In  passing  through  the  town  the  Eleventh 
Corps  was  especially  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy, 
who  pressed  his  advantage  and  captured  thousands 
of  prisoners.  Our  wounded,  who,  up  to  this  time, 
had  been  quartered  in  Gettysburg,  fell  into  the 
enemy's  hands,  and  scarcely  one-half  of  our  brave 
boys,  who  had  so  recently  and  proudly  passed  through 
the  streets  to  the  battle  lines,  had  the  privilege  of  re- 
turning, but  either  lay  dead  or  dying  on  the  well- 
fought  fields,  or  were  captives  with  a  cruel  foe.  The 
number  of  killed  and  wounded  showed  how  desperate- 
ly they  had  fought,  and  the  large  number  captured 
was  evidence  of  the  overwhelming  numbers  with 
which  they  had  contended. 

General  Buford,  with  his  troopers,  covered  our 
retreat,  showing  as  bold  a  front  as  possible  to  the 
enemy,  who,  it  was  feared,  would  follow  fiercely,  as 
they  were  very  strong  and  several  hours  of  daylight 


250       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CoA^aVry. 

yet  remained.  But  doubtless  fearing  that  a  trap 
miglit  be  laid  for  them  if  they  advanced  too  far,  they 
contented  themselves  with  only  a  portion  of  the 
borough,  their  main  force  occupying  the  hills  which 
form  a  grand  amphitheatre  on  the  north  and  west.  It 
w^ould  be  difficult  to  refrain  from  saying,  that  those 
Rebel  forces  were  prevented  from  advancing  by  some 
mighty  unseen  hand — the  hand  of  Him  who  watches 
over  the  destiny  of  nations." 

Our  feeble  and  decimated  forces  took  possession 
of  Cemetery  Hill,  south  of  the  town,  and  being  re- 
enforced  by  General  Sickles'  Corps,  they  began  to 
intrench  themselves  with  earthworks  and  rifle-pits,  to 
extend  their  lines  to  right  and  left,  and  to  select  the 
best  positions  for  our  batteries.  Tliis  work  was  con- 
tinued quite  late  into  the  evening,  the  broad  moonlight 
greatly  facilitating  the  operations. 

General  Meade,  who  had  selected  his  ground  for 
the  impending  battle  along  the  banks  of  Pipe  Creek, 
and  who  at  one  o'clock  p.  m.  was  at  Taneytown  when 
the  news  of  the  fight,  and  the  death  of  the  brave 
Reynolds  at  Gettysburg,  reached  him,  despatched 
General  Hancock  to  the  scene  of  conflict  to  take  com- 
mand, and  to  ascertain  whether  Gettysburg  afforded 
better  ground  than  that  which  had  been  selected. 
Hancock  arrived  at  Cemetery  Hill  just  as  our  broken 
lines  were  hastily  and  confusedly  retreating  from  the 
village ;  our  advance,  however,  had  already  taken  this 
commanding  position  and  was  making  some  prepara- 
tion for  resistance.  The  newly  arrived  general  began 
at  once  to  order  the  forces  which  had  been  engaged 
and  others  which  were  occasionally  arriving.  He 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  251 

ordered  the  occupancy  of  Gulp's  Hill  on  our  extreme 
right,  and  extended  the  lines  to  our  left  well  up  the 
high  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  Eound  Top,  a  rocky 
eminence  about  two  miles  from  Gettysburg,  and 
nearly  equi-distant  from  the  Emmitsburg  and  Taney- 
town  roads.  The  line  having  been  made  as  secure  as 
possible,  Hancock  wrote  to  Meade  that  the  position 
was  excellent.  His  despatch  had  scarcely  gone,  when 
he  was  relieved  by  General  Slocum,  a  ranking  officer, 
and  so,  leaving  the  field,  Hancock  hastened  to  report 
in  person  to  his  chief  the  condition  of  things  at  Gettys- 
burg. On  arriving,  Meade  informed  him  that  he  had 
decided  to  fight  at  Gettysburg,  and  had  sent  orders  to 
the  various  commands  to  that  efioct ;  then  together 
they  rode  to  Gettysburg,  arriving  about  eleven  o'clock 
at  night. 

All  night  long  our  forces  were  concentrating  be- 
fore this  historic  village,  where  they  were  all  found 
on  the  morning  of  the  second  of  Julj^,  except  the  Sixth 
Corps,  General  Sedgwick's,  which  did  not  arrive  until 
two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  after  marching  nearly 
all  the  previous  night. 

SECOND  DAY'S  FIGHT 

Until  three  o'clock  all  was  quiet  along  the  battle 
lines,  except  an  occasional  picket  or  sharpshooter's 
fire.  However,  there  had  been  considerable  man- 
oeuvring. On  our  left  General  Sickles,  in  his  eager- 
ness for  a  fight,  had  advanced  his  corps  across  the 
Emmitsburg  road,  and  on  a  wood-crowned  ridge  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  main  portion  of  the 
Rebel  army.    General  Meade,  in  his  inspection  of  the 


252       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

lines,  remonstrated  against  the  perilous  position  which 
Sickles  had  taken  the  liberty  to  gain.  He,  however, 
intimated  that,  if  desired,  he  would  w^ithdraw  to  the 
ridge  which  Meade  had  justly  indicated  as  the  proper 
place  where  our  forces  would  be  better  protected,  and 
would  be  able  to  cover  Bound  Top,  a  point  which  it 
was  considered  essential  to  retain.  General  Meade 
thereupon  expressed  his  fear  to  Sickles  that  the  enemy 
would  not  permit  him  quietly  to  retire  from  the  trap 
in  which  he  had  placed  his  foot;  and  the  last  words 
had  scarcely  fallen  from  his  lips,  when  the  Rebel 
batteries  were  opened  with  fearful  accuracy  and  at 
short  range,  and  the  infantry  came  on  with  their  fierce 
charging  yell.    General  Longstreet  was  in  command. 

With  so  long  and  strong  lines  of  infantry  in  his 
front,  which  lapped  over  his  flanks  on  either  side,  and 
a  fearful  enfilading  fire  from  the  heavy  batteries  on 
Seminary  Hill,  Sickles  and  his  brave  men  were  torn, 
shattered,  overwhelmed,  and  with  terrible  loss  and 
in  great  confusion,  fell  back  to  the  ridge  from  which 
he  ought  not  to  have  advanced.  In  the  struggle  the 
Rebels  made  a  desperate  attempt  to  reach  and  pos- 
sess Round  Top,  which  they  came  near  doing  before 
General  Sykes,  who  had  been  ordered  to  advance 
and  hold  it,  had  gained  the  elevation.  But  their 
failure  to  possess  this  coveted  prize  proved  a  great 
disaster ;  for  before  they  could  withdraw  their  charg- 
ing columns  across  the  plain  between  Bound  Top  and 
the  ridge  where  Sickles  stood  at  the  beginning  of  the 
fray,  they  were  attacked  bj^  General  Hancock  with 
a  heavy  force,  and  driven  almost  like  chafi"  before  the 
wind.    Their  loss  was  terrible.    At  the  close  of  this 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  253 

encounter  our  lines  stood  precisely  wLere  General 
Meade  desired  they  should  be  before  the  fight  com- 
menced, with  Eound  Top  fully  in  our  possession  and 
now  strongly  fortified  with  heavy  artillery  and  good 
infantry  support. 

On  our  right  General  Ewell  had  succeeded  in 
pushing  back  some  portions  of  our  lines  under  Slo- 
cum,  who  occupied  Gulp's  Hill,  and  some  of  our  for- 
tified lines  and  rifie-pits  were  occupied  by  the  Rebels. 
Night  came  on  to  close  the  dreadful  day.  Thus  far 
the  battle  had  been  mostly  in  the  advantage  of  the 
Rebels.  They  held  the  ground  where  Reynolds  had 
fallen,  also  Seminary  Ridge,  and  the  elevation  whence 
the  Eleventh  Corps  had  been  driven.  They  also 
occupied  the  ridge  on  which  Sickles  had  commenced 
to  fight.  Sickles  himself  was  hors  de  comhat^  with  a 
shattered  leg  which  had  to  be  amputated,  and  not 
far  from  twenty  thousand  of  our  men  had  been  killed, 
wounded,  and  captured !  The  Rebels  had  also  lost 
heavily  ;  but,  as  they  themselves  believed,  they  were 
the  winners. 

General  Lee,  in  his  official  report,  says :  After 
a  severe  struggle,  Longstreet  succeeded  in  getting 
possession  of  and  holding  the  desired  ground.  Ewell 
also  carried  some  of  the  strong  positions  which  he  as- 
sailed ;  and  the  result  was  such  as  to  lead  to  the  be- 
lief that  he  would  ultimately  be  able  to  dislodge  the 
enemy.  The  battle  ceased  at  dark.  These  partial 
successes  determined  me  to  continue  the  assault  next 
day." 

During  these  days  of  deadly  strife  and  of  unpre- 
cedented slaughter,  our  cavalry  was  by  no  means 


264       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

idle.  On  tlie  morning  of  the  first,  Kilpatrick  ad- 
vanced his  victorious  squadrons  to  the  vicinity  of 
Abbottstown,  where  they  struck  a  force  of  Rebel 
cavalry,  which  they  scattered,  capturing  several  pris- 
oners, and  then  rested.  To  the  ears  of  the  alert 
chieftain  came  the  sound  of  battle  at  Gettysburg, 
accompanied  with  the  intelligence,  from  prisoners 
mostly,  that  Stuart's  main  force  was  bent  on  doing 
mischief  on  the  right  of  our  infantry  lines,  which 
were  not  far  from  the  night's  bivouac. 

He  appeared  instinctively  to  know  where  he  was 
most  needed;  so  in  the  absence  of  orders,  early  the 
next  morning  he  advanced  to  Hunterstown.  At  this 
point  were  the  extreme  wings  of  the  infantry  lines, 
and  as  Kilpatrick  expected,  he  encountered  the  Rebel 
cavalry,  commanded  by  his  old  antagonists,  Stuart, 
Lee,  and  Hampton.  The  early  part  of  the  day  was 
spent  mostly  in  reconnoitring ;  but  all  the  latter  part 
of  the  day  was  occupied  in  hard,  bold,  and  bloody 
work.  Charges  and  counter-charges  were  made ;  the 
carbine,  pistol,  and  sabre  were  used  by  turns,  and 
the  artillery  thundered  even  late  after  the  infantry 
around  Gettysburg  had  sunk  to  rest,  well-nigh  ex- 
hausted with  the  bloody  carnage  of  the  weary  day. 
But  Stuart,  who  had  hoped  to  break  in  upon  our 
flank  and  rear,  and  to  pounce  upon  our  trains,  was 
not  only  foiled  in  his  endeavor  by  the  gallant  Kil- 
patrick, but  also  driven  back  upon  his  infantry  sup- 
ports, and  badly  beaten. 

In  the  night,  Kilpatrick,  after  leaving  a  sufficient 
force  to  prevent  Stuart  from  doing  any  special  dam- 
age on  our  right,  swung  around  with  the  rest  of  his 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  255 


troopers  to  the  left  of  our  line,  near  Round  Top,  and 
was  there  prepared  for  any  work  wliich  might  be 
assigned  him. 

THE  LAST  EFFORT. 

Friday,^  July  3. — The  sun  rose  bright  and  warm, 
and  looked  dow^n  upon  the  blackened  corpses  of  the 
dead,  which,  were  strewn  over  the  bloody  earth  ;  upon 
the  wounded  who  had  not  been  cared  for,  and  upon 
long  glistening  lines  of  armed  men,  ready  to  renew 
the  conflict.  Each  antagonist,  rousing  every  slum- 
bering element  of  power,  seemed  to  be  resolved  upon 
victory  or  death.  The  fight  commenced  early  by  an 
attack  of  General  Slocum's  men,  who,  determined  to 
regain  the  rifle-pits  they  had  lost  the  evening  before, 
descended  like  an  avalanche  upon  the  foe.  The 
attack  met  with  a  prompt  response  from  General 
Ewell.  But  after  several  hours  of  desperate  fight- 
ing, victory  perched  upon  the  Union  banners,  and 
with  great  loss  and  slaughter  the  Rebels  were  driven 
out  of  the  breastworks,  and  fell  back  upon  their  main 
lines  near  Benner's  Hill. 

This  successful  move  on  the  part  of  our  boys  in 
blue  was  followed  by  ominous  lull  or  quiet,  which 
continued  about  three  hours.  Meanwhile  the  silence 
was  fitfully  broken  by  an  occasional  spit  of  fire,  while 
every  preparation  was  being  made  for  a  last,  supreme 
efibrt,  which,  it  w^as  expected,  would  decide  the  mighty 
contest.  The  scales  were  being  poised  for  the  last 
time,  and  upon  the  one  side  or  the  other  was  soon  to 
be  written  the  "  Mene^  Mene^  Tekel^  TJpharsinP 
Hearts  either  trembled  or  waxed  strong  in  the  awful 
presence  of  this  responsibility. 


356       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Oavalry. 


At  length  one  o'clock  arriv^ed ;  a  signal-gun  was 
fired,  and  then  at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
guns  from  Hill  and  Longstreet  concentrated  and  crossed 
their  fires  upon  Cemetery  Hill,  the  centre  and  key  of 
our  position.  Just  behind  this  crest,  though  much 
exposed,  were  General  Meade's  headquarters.  For 
nearly  two  hours  this  hill  was  ploughed  and  torn  by 
solid  shot  and  bursting  shell,  while  about  one  hundred 
guns  on  our  side,  mainly  from  this  crest  and  Eound 
Top,  made  sharp  response.  The  earth  and  the  air 
shook  for  miles  around  with  the  terrific  concussion, 
which  came  no  longer  in  volleys,  but  in  a  continual 
roar.  So  long  and  fearful  a  cannonade  w^as  never 
before  witnessed  on  this  continent.  As  the  range 
was  short  and  the  aim  accurate,  the  destruction  was 
terrible.  But  the  advantage  was  decidedly  in  favor 
of  the  Eebels,  whose  guns  were  superior  in  number 
to  ours,  and  of  heavier  calibre,  and  had  been  con- 
centrated for  the  attack.  A  spectator  of  the  Union 
army  thus  describes  the  scene  : 

"  The  storm  broke  upon  us  so  suddenly,  that  sol- 
diers and  officers — who  leaped,  as  it  began,  from 
their  tents,  or  from  lazy  siestas  on  the  grass — were 
stricken  in  their  rising  with  mortal  wounds,  and 
died,  some  with  cigars  between  their  teeth,  some 
with  pieces  of  food  in  their  fingers,  and  one  at  least 
— a  pale  young  German,  from  Pennsylvania — with 
a  miniature  of  his  sister  in  his  hands.  Horses  fell, 
shrieking  such  awful  cries  as  Cooper  told  of,  and 
writhing  themselves  about  in  hopeless  agony.  The 
boards  of  fences,  scattered  by  explosion,  flew  in 
splinters  through  the  air.    The  earth,  torn  up  in 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  257 

clouds,  blinded  the  eyes  of  hurrying  men ;  and 
through  the  branches  of  trees  and  among  the  grave- 
stones of  the  cemetery  a  shower  of  destruction  crashed 
ceaselessly.  As,  with  hundreds  of  others,  I  groped 
through  this  tempest  of  death  for  the  shelter  of  the 
bluff,  an  old  man,  a  private  in  a  company  belonging 
to  the  Twenty-fourth  Michigan,  was  struck,  scarcely 
ten  feet  away,  by  a  cannon-ball,  which  tore  through 
him,  extorting  such  a  low,  intense  cry  of  mortal  pain 
as  I  pray  God  I  may  never  again  hear.  The  hill, 
which  seemed  alone  devoted  to  this  rain  of  death, 
was  clear  in  nearly  all  its  unsheltered  places  within 
five  minutes  after  the  fire  began. 

A  correspondent  from  the  Confederate  army  thus 
describes  this  artillery  contest :  "  I  have  never  yet 
heard  such  tremendous  artillery-firing.  The  enemy 
must  have  had  over  one  hundred  guns,  which,  in  ad- 
dition to  our  one  hundred  and  fifteen,  made  the  air 
hideous  with  most  discordant  noise.  The  very  earth 
shook  beneath  our  feet,  and  the  hills  and  rocks  seemed 
to  reel  like  a  drunken  man.  For  one  hour  and  a 
half  this  most  terrific  fire  was  continued,  during 
which  time  the  shrieking  of  shell,  the  crash  of  fallen 
timbers,  the  fragments  of  rocks  flying  through  the 
air,  shattered  from  the  cliffs  by  solid  shot,  the  heavy 
mutterings  from  the  valley  between  the  opposing 
armies,  the  splash  of  bursting  shrapnell,  and  the 
fierce  neighing  of  wounded  artillery-horses,  made  a 
picture  terribly  grand  and  sublime,  but  which  my 
pen  utterly  fails  to  describe." 

Gradually  the  fire  on  our  side  began  to  slacken, 
and  General  Meade,  learning  that  our  guns  were 


258       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

becoming  hot,  gave  orders  to  cease  firing  and  to  let 
the  guns  cool,  though  the  Rebel  balls  were  making 
fearful  liavoc  among  our  gunners,  while  our  infantry 
sought  poor  shelter  behind  every  projection,  anx- 
iously awaiting  the  expected  charge.  At  length  the 
enemy,  supposing  that  our  guns  were  silenced, 
deemed  that  the  moment  for  an  irresistible  attack 
had  come.  Accordingly,  as  a  lion  emerges  from  his 
lair,  he  sallied  forth,  when  strong  lines  of  infantry, 
nearly  three  miles  in  length,  with  double  lines  of 
skirmishers  in  front,  and  heavy  reserves  in  rear,  ad- 
vanced with  desperation  to  the  final  effort.  They 
moved  with  steady,  measured  tread  over  the  plain 
below,  and  began  the  ascent  of  the  hills  occupied  by 
our  forces,  concentrating  somewhat  upon  General 
Hancock,  though  stretching  across  our  entire  front. 

Says  a  correspondent  of  the  Richmond  Enquirer : 
Just  as  Pickett  was  getting  well  under  the  enemy's 
fire,  our  batteries  ceased  firing.  This  was  a  fearful 
moment  for  Pickett  and  his  brave  command.  Why 
do  not  our  guns  reopen  their  fire  ?  is  the  inquiry  that 
rises  upon  every  lip.  Still,  our  batteries  are  silent 
as  death  !  "  And  this  undoubtedly  decided  the  issue 
— was  God's  handwriting  on  the  wall.  The  Eebel 
guns  had  been  thundering  so  long  and  ceaselessly 
that  they  were  now  unfit  for  use,  and  ceased  firing 
from  very  necessity. 

"  Agate,"  correspondent  of  The  Cincinnati  Ga- 
zette^ gives  the  following  graphic  description  of  the 
struggle : 

"  The  great,  desperate,  final  charge  came  at  four. 
The  Rebels  seemed  to  have  gathered  up  all  their 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  259 

strengtli  and  desperation  for  one  fierce,  convulsive 
effort,  that  should  sweep  over  and  wash  out  our  ob- 
stinate resistance.  They  swept  np  as  before :  the 
flower  of  their  army  to  the  front,  victory  staked 
upon  the  issue.  In  some  places  they  literally  lifted 
Tip  and  pushed  back  our  lines ;  but,  that  terrible 
position  of  ours  ! — wherever  they  entered  it,  enfilad- 
ing fires  from  half  a  score  of  crests  swept  away  their 
columns  like  merest  chaff.  Broken  and  hurled  back, 
they  easily  fell  into  our  hands ;  and,  on  the  centre 
and  left,  the  last  half  hour  brought  more  prisoners 
than  all  the  rest. 

"  So  it  w^as  along  the  whole  line ;  but  it  was  on 
the  Second  Corps  that  the  flower  of  the  Rebel  army 
was  concentrated ;  it  was  there  that  the  heaviest 
shock  beat  upon,  and  shook,  and  even  sometimes 
cnimbled,  our  lines. 

"  We  had  some  shallow  rifle-pits,  with  barricades 
of  rails  from  the  fences.  The  Eebel  line,  stretching 
away  miles  to  the  left,  in  magnificent  array,  but 
strongest  here — Pickett's  splendid  division  of  Long- 
street's  corps  in  front,  the  best  of  A.  P.  Hill's  vet- 
erans in  support — came  steadily,  and  as  it  seemed 
resistlessly,  sweeping  up.  Our  skirmishers  retired 
slowly  from  the  Emmitsburg  road,  holding  their 
ground  tenaciously  to  the  last.  The  Rebels  reserved 
their  fire  till  they  reached  this  same  Emmitsburg 
road,  then  opened  with  a  terrific  crash.  From  a 
hundred  iron  throats,  meantime,  their  artillery  had 
been  thundering  on  our  barricades. 

"  Hancock  was  wounded  ;  Gibbon  succeeded  to 
the  command —an  approved  soldier,  and  ready  for  the 


260       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Ca/val/ry. 

crisis.  As  tlie  tempest  of  fire  approached  its  height, 
he  walked  along  the  line,  and  renewed  his  orders  to 
the  men  to  reserve  their  fire.  The  Rebels* — three 
lines  deep — came  steadily  iip.  They  were  in  point- 
blank  range. 

At  last  the  order  came  !  From  thrice  six  thou- 
sand guns  there  came  a  sheet  of  smoky  flame,  a 
crash,  a  rush  of  leaden  death.  The  line  literally 
melted  away ;  but  there  came  the  second,  resistless 
still.  It  had  been  our  supreme  effort ;  on  the  mo- 
ment we  were  not  equal  to  another. 

"  Up  to  the  rifle-pits,  across  them,  over  the  barri- 
cades— the  momentum  of  their  charge,  the  mere 
machine-strength  of  their  combined  action,  swept 
them  on.  Our  thin  line  could  fight,  but  it  had  not 
weight  enough  to  oppose  to  this  momentum.  It  was 
pushed  behind  the  guns.  Eight  on  came  the  Rebels. 
They  were  upon  our  guns — were  bayoneting  the  gun- 
ners— were  waving  their  flags  over  our  pieces. 

But  they  had  penetrated  to  the  fatal  point.  A 
storm  of  grape  and  canister  tore  its  way  from  man 
to  man,  and  marked  its  track  with  corpses  straight 
down  their  line  !  They  had  exposed  themselves  to 
the  enfilading  fire  of  the  guns  on  the  western  slope 
of  Cemetery  Hill ;  that  exposure  sealed  their  fate. 

The  line  reeled  back — disjointed  already — in  an 
instant  in  fragments.  Our  men  were  just  behind  the 
guns.  They  leaped  forward  upon  the  disordered 
mass  ;  but  there  w^as  little  need  of  fighting  now.  A 
regiment  threw  down  its  arms,  and,  with  colors  at 
its  head,  rushed  over  and  surrendered.  All  along 
the  field  smaller  detachments  did  the  same.  Webb's 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  261 

brigade  brought  in  eight  hundred :  taken  in  as  little 
time  as  it  requires  to  write  the  simple  sentence  that 
tells  it..  Gibbon's  old  division  took  fifteen  stand  of 
colors. 

^'  Over  the  fields  the  escaped  fragments  of  the 
charging  line  fell  back — the  battle  there  was  over. 
A  single  brigade,  Harrow's  (of  which  the  Seventh 
Michigan  is  part),  came  out  with  fifty-four  less  offi- 
cers, and  seven  hundred  and  ninety-three  less  men, 
than  it  took  in  !  So  the  whole  corps  fought ;  so,  too. 
they  fought  farther  down  the  line. 

It  was  fruitless  sacrifice.  They  gathered  up 
their  broken  fragments,  formed  their  lines,  and  slowly 
marched  away.  It  was  not  a  rout ;  it  was  a  bitter, 
crushing  defeat.  For  once  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
had  won  a  clean,  honest,  acknowledged  victory." 

General  Pickett's  division  was  nearly  annihilated. 
One  of  his  officers  recounted,  that,  as  they  w^ere 
charging  over  the  grassy  plain,  he  threw  himself  down 
before  a  murderous  discharge  of  grape  and  canister, 
which  mowed  the  grass  and  men  all  around  him,  as 
though  a  scythe  had  been  swung  just  above  his  pros- 
trate form. 

During  the  terrific  cannonade  and  subsequent 
charges,  our  ammunition  and  other  trains  had  been 
parked  in  rear  of  Round  Top,  which  gave  them 
splendid  shelter.  Partly  to  possess  this  train,  but 
mainly  to  secure  this  commanding  position,  General 
Long.'^treet  sent  two  strong  divisions  of  infantry,  with 
heavy  artillery,  to  turn  our  flank,  and  to  drive  us 
from  this  ground.  Kilpatrick,  with  his  division, 
which  had  been  strengthened  by  Merritt's  Regular 


2G2       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


brigade,  was  watching  this  point,  and  waiting  for  an 
opportunity  to  strike  the  foe.  It  came  at  last. 
Emerging  from  the  woods  in  front  of  him  came  a 
strong  battle-line  followed  by  others. 

FALL  OF  GENERAL  FARNSWORTH. 

To  the  young  Farnsworth  was  committed  the 
task  of  meeting  infantry  with  cavalry  in  an  open 
field.  Placing  the  Fifth  New  York  in  support  of 
Elder's  battery,  which  was  exposed  to  a  galling  fire, 
but  made  reply  with  characteristic  rapidity,  pre- 
cision, and  slaughter,  Farnsworth  quickly  ordered 
the  First  Virginia,  First  Yermont,  and  Eighteenth 
Pennsylvania  in  line  of  battle,  and  galloped  away 
and  charged  npon  the  flank  of  the  advancing  col- 
umns. The  attack  was  sharp,  brief,  and  successful, 
though  attended  with  great  slaughter.  But  the 
Rebels  were  driven  upon  their  main  lines,  and  the 
flank  movement  was  prevented.  Thus  the  cavalry 
added  another  dearly-earned  laurel  to  its  chaplet  of 
honor — dearly  earned^  because  many  of  their  bravest 
champions  fell  upon  that  bloody  field. 

Kilpatrick,  in  his  official  report  of  this  sanguinary 
contest,  says  :  In  this  charge  fell  the  brave  Farns- 
worth. Short  and  brilliant  was  his  career.  On  the 
twenty-ninth  of  June  a  general ;  on  the  first  of  July 
he  baptized  his  star  in  blood  ;  and  on  the  third,  for 
the  honor  of  his  young  brigade  and  the  glory  of  his 
corps,  he  yielded  up  his  noble  life." 

Thus  ended  the  battle  of  Gettysburg — the  bloody 
turning-point  of  the  Rebellion — the  bloody  baptism 
of  the  redeemed  Republic.    Nearly  twenty  thousand 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


263 


men  from  the  Union  ranks  had  been  killed  and 
wounded,  and  a  larger  number  of  the  Rebels,  mak- 
ing the  enormous  aggregate  of  at  least  forty  thou- 
sand, whose  blood  was  shed  to  fertilize  the  Tree  of 
Liberty. 

In  the  evening  twilight  of  that  eventful  day  Gen- 
eral Meade  penned  the  following  interesting  despatch 
to  the  Government : 

Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac,  ) 
Near  Gettysburg,  July  3,  8.30  p.  m.  J 
To  Major-General  Halleck^  General-in-Chief  : 

The  enemy  opened  at  one  o'clock  p.  m.,  from  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  guns.  They  concentrated  upon  my  left  cen- 
tre, continuing  without  intermission,  for  about  three  hours,  at 
the  expiration  of  which  time  he  assaulted  my  left  centre  twice, 
being,  upon  both  occasions,  handsomely  repulsed  with  severe 
loss  to  them,  leaving  in  our  hands  nearly  three  thousand  pris- 
oners. Among  the  prisoners  are  Major-General  Armistead,  and 
many  colonels  and  officers  of  lesser  note.  The  enemy  left 
many  dead  upon  the  field,  and  a  large  number  of  wounded  in 
our  hands.  The  loss  upon  our  side  has  been  considerable. 
Major-General  Hancock  and  Brigadier-General  Gibbon  were 
wounded. 

After  the  repelling  of  the  assault,  indications  leading  to 
the  belief  that  the  enemy  might  be  withdrawing,  an  armed 
reconnoissance  was  pushed  forward  from  the  left,  and  the 
enemy  found  to  be  in  force.  At  the  present  hour  all  is 
quiet. 

The  New  York  cavalry  have  been  engaged  all  day  on  both 
flanks  of  the  enemy,  harassing  and  vigorously  attacking  him 
with  great  success,  notwithstanding  they  encountered  superior 
numbers,  both  of  cavalry  and  artillery.  The  army  is  in  fine 
spirits. 

George  G.  Meade, 
Major- General  CommavMng, 


11* 


264       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


On  the  morning  of  the  Fourth  of  July,  General 
Meade  issued  an  address  to  the  army : 

Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac,  ) 
Near  Gettysburg,  July  4.  J 

The  commanding  general,  in  behalf  of  the  country,  thanks 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  for  the  glorious  result  of  the  recent 
operations.  Our  enemy,  superior  in  numbers  and  flushed  with 
the  pride  of  a  successful  invasion,  attempted  to  overcome  or 
destroy  this  army.  Utterly  baffled  and  defeated,  he  has  now 
withdrawn  from  the  contest. 

The  privations  and  fatigues  the  army  has  endured,  and  the 
heroic  courage  and  gallantry  it  has  displayed,  will  be  matters 
of  history  to  be  ever  remembered. 

Our  task  is  not  yet  accomplished,  and  the  commanding 
general  looks  to  the  army  for  greater  efforts,  to  drive  from  our 
soil  every  vestige  of  the  presence  of  the  invader. 

It  is  right  and  proper  that  we  should,  on  suitable  occasions, 
return  our  grateful  thanks  to  the  Almighty  Disposer  of  events, 
that,  in  the  goodness  of  His  providence.  He  has  thought  fit  to 
give  victory  to  the  cause  of  the  just. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Meade. 

S.  WiLLiA^vrs,  A.  A.-Qeneral, 

It  is  fitting  we  should  close  this  chapter  with 
President  Lincoln's  brief  yet  comprehensive  an- 
nouncement to  the  country : 

Washington,  D.  C,  July  4,  18G3,  10  a.  m. 
The  President  of  the  United  States  announces  to  the  coun- 
try, that  the  news  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  up  to  ten 
o'clock  p.  M.  of  the  third,  is  such  as  to  cover  the  army  with 
the  highest  honor — to  promise  great  success  to  the  cause  of 
the  Union — and  to  claim  the  condolence  of  all  for  the  many 
gallant  fallen ;  and  that  for  this  he  especially  desires  that  on 
this  day,  "  He  whose  will,  not  ours,  should  ever  be  done,"  be 
everywhere  remembered  and  reverenced  with  the  profoundest 
gratitude.  Abraham  Lincolis. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


265 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

RETREAT  OF  THE  REBELS  FROM  GETTYSBURG. 

1863. — National  Rejoicing. — The  Enemy  Retreating. — Feebly  Pursued. — 
Reconnoissances. — Kilpatrick  Gives  the  Enemy  a  Fourth  of  July 
Entertainment  at  Monterey  Pass. — Storm  and  Terror. — Immense 
Train  Destroyed,  and  Hosts  of  Prisoners  Taken. — Pitiable  Condi- 
tion of  Stuart's  Cavalry. — Battle  of  Hagerstown. — Captains  Penfield 
and  Dahlgren  Wounded. — Wonderful  Exploits  of  a  Union  Scout. — 
Kilpatrick  and  Buford  at  Williamsport. — Cavalry  Fight  at  Boonsboro. 
— Stuart  Defeated.— Hagerstown  Retaken. — Orders  to  Advance,  One 
Day  Too  Late. — Kilpatrick  Chases  the  Flying  Foe. — Fight  at  Falling 
Waters,  Last  Act  in  the  Drama. — Great  Bravery  of  Union  Troops. — 
Last  Vestige  of  the  Invaders  Wiped  Out. — Bivouac  and  Rest. 

THE  victory  at  Gettysburg,  though  purchased  at 
so  dear  a  price,  when  announced  to  the  people, 
produced  a  deep  and  widespread  joy,  which  contrib- 
uted to  make  the  Fourth  of  July  doubly  memorable. 
The  gallant  behavior  of  our  men  furnished  a  theme 
for  general  exultation,  and  the  removal  of  the  threat- 
ened disaster  foreshadowed  in  the  pompous  and  suc- 
cessful invasion,  made  every  true  American  breathe 
more  freely. 

But  the  work  of  the  soldier  was  not  yet  done. 
The  feet  of  the  invaders  were  still  upon  free  soil ; 
and  though  his  ranks  had  been  thinned  by  desertions, 
and  by  unprecedented  casualties  in  battle,  and  he 
had  been  thwarted  in  all  the  important  minutiae  of 


266       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

his  plan,  he  was  still  formidable,  and  compelled  to 
fight  with  desperation,  if  attacked,  to  prevent  utter 
destruction. 

Some  apprehension  that  the  enemy  was  at  least 
contemplating  a  speedy  retreat  was  entertained  dur- 
ing the  night  that  followed  the  third  bloody  day. 
General  Pleasonton,  chief  of  cavalry,  urged  General 
Meade  to  advance  in  force  upon  the  beaten  foe,  al- 
leging that  they  were  not  only  greatly  weakened  by 
their  losses,  but  undoubtedly  demoralized,  in  conse- 
quence of  repulse  and  probable  scarcity  of  ammu- 
nition. To  ascertain  positively  what  could  be  of 
these  probabilities,  Pleasonton  was  directed  to  make 
a  reconnoissance  toward  the  Eebel  rear.  Accord- 
ingly, several  detachments  of  cavalry  were  thrust 
out  on  different  roads,  where  they  rode  all  night. 
General  Gregg,  on  our  right,  went  about  twenty-two 
miles  on  the  road  to  Chambersburg,  and  returning 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  reported  that 
the  road  was  strewn  with  wounded  and  stragglers, 
ambulances  and  caissons,  and  general  debris^  which 
indicated  that  the  enemy  was  retreating  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  and  was  passing  through  a  terrible  season 
of  demoralization.  The  testimony  of  the  mute  wit- 
nesses  of  disaster  was  corroborated  by  that  of  the 
many  prisoners  which  easily  fell  into  Gregg's  hands. 
Other  expeditions,  returning  later  in  the  day,  had 
similar  reports  to  render  of  what  they  had  seen  and 
heard.  And  now  came  the  time  for  energetic  cav- 
alry movements.  While  our  infantry  was  resting,  or 
engaged  in  burying  our  own  and  the  Eebel  dead 
within  our  lines,  the  cavalry  was  despatched  to  do 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  267 

all  the  damage  it  could  upon  the  retreating  Rebel 
columns. 

KILPATRICK  ON  THEIR  TRAIL. 

Kilpatrick,  having  assembled  his  immortalized 
division  on  the  plain  at  the  foot  of  Hound  Top,  on 
the  morning  of  the  fourth,  discoursed  to  them  elo- 
quently for  a  few  moments  on  the  interests  of  the 
times.  He  assured  his  men  that  their  noble  deeds 
were  not  passing  by  unnoticed,  nor  would  be  unre- 
quited, and  that  they  were  already  a  part  of  a  grand 
history.  He  trusted  that  their  future  conduct  would 
be  a  fair  copy  of  the  past.  But  his  pathetic  and 
patriotic  accents  had  scarcely  died  upon  the  ear  of 
his  brave  command,  when  the  shrill  bugle-blast 
brought  eager  men  and  grazing  horses  in  line  of 
march.  Orders  had  been  received  by  Kilpatrick  to 
repair  as  swiftly  as  possible  to  the  passes  in  the  Ca- 
toctin  Mountains,  to  intercept  the  enemy  now  known 
to  be  flying  southward  at  a  rapid  rate. 

The  command  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when 
rain  began  to  fall  in  torrents,  as  is  usually  the  case 
after  great  battles,  especially  when  much  artillery  is 
used.  But  through  mud,  in  places  to  the  horses'  bod- 
ies ;  through  brooks  swollen  enormously,  and  through 
the  falling  floods,  the  troopers  pressed  forward  to  the 
accomplishment  of  their  task.  About  five  o'clock 
p.  M.  Kilpatrick  reached  Emmitsburg,  where  he  was 
joined  by  portions  of  General  Gregg's  command,  in- 
cluding the  Harris  Light,  which  had  been  kept  most- 
ly in  reserve  during  the  conflicts  of  the  past  few  days. 
Thus  reenforced,  this  intrepid  leader  marched  directly 
toward  the  Monterey  Pass,  arriving  at  the  foot  of  this 


268       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


rocky  defile  in  the  mountains  in  the  midst  of  pitchj^ 
darkness. 

As  was  anticipated,  a  heavy  Rebel  train  was  then 
trying  to  make  its  escape  through  tlie  gorge,  guarded 
by  Stuart's  Cavalry,  with  light  artilleiy.  This  artil- 
lery was  planted  in  a  position  to  rake  the  narrow  road 
npon  which  Kilpatrick  was  advancing.  But  the  dark- 
ness was  so  intense  that  the  guns  could  be  of  little 
use,  except  to  make  the  night  terribly  hideous  with 
their  bell owings,  the  echoes  of  which  reverberated  in 
the  mountain  gorges  in  a  most  frightful  manner.  To 
add  to  the  horrors  of  the  scene  and  position,  the  rain 
fell  in  floods,  accompanied  w^ith  gi'oaning  thunders, 
while  lightnings  flashed  from  cloud  to  cloud  over  our 
heads,  and  cleft  the  darkness  only  to  leave  friend  and 
foe  enveloped  in  greater  darkness  in  the  intervals  of 
light.  By  these  flashes,  however,  we  gained  a  mo- 
mentary glimpse  of  each  other's  position,  and  as  we 
dashed  forward  in  the  gloom,  we  were  further  direct- 
ed by  the  fire  of  the  artillery  and  the  desultory  fire 
of  the  cavalry. 

Surgeon  Moore  gives  the  following  account  of  this 
afiair  :  We  do  not  hesitate  in  saying,  and  have  good 
reason  to  know,  that  had  any  want  of  firmness  on  the 
part  of  the  leader,  or  any  indecision  or  vacillation 
appeared,  and  a  mischance  occurred,  this  splendid 
command  would  then  and  there  have  been  lost. 

"  But  with  unflinching  and  steady  purpose,  bold 
bearing,  and  a  mind  equal  to  the  emergency,  the  gen- 
eral rode  to  the  head  of  the  column,  reassured  his 
frightened  people,  and,  notwithstanding  the  intense 
darkness  that  hid  friend  from  foe,  made  such  skilful 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  269 


dispositions,  and  then  attacked  the  hidden  foe  with 
snch  impetuosity  that  he  fled  in  wild  dismay,  leaving 
his  guns,  a  battle-flag,  and  four  hundred  prisoners  in 
the  victor's  hands. 

The  pass  was  gained,  and  Pennington's  and  El- 
der's guns  were  soon  echoing  and  reechoing  through 
tlie  mountain  defiles.  The  artillery  opened  thus  on 
the  flying  columns  of  the  routed  foe,  who,  with  wag- 
ons, ambulances,  caissons,  and  the  debris  of  a  shat- 
tered army,  were  rushing  in  chaotic  confusion  down 
the  narrow  mountain  road,  and  scattering  through  the 
fields  and  woods  on  the  plains  below." 

All  night  long  Kilpatricic  and  his  successful  fol- 
lowers were  gathering  the  spoils  of  their  evening 
work.  Wagon  after  wagon  was  overtaken,  captured, 
and  destroyed,  while  hundreds  of  prisoners  were 
easily  captured.  This  daring  exploit  placed  Kilpat- 
rick  in  advance  of  the  Rebel  army,  giving  him  a  fine 
opportunity  to  obstruct  their  pathway  of  retreat,  and 
to  destroy  whatever  could  be  of  any  use  to  them. 
Had  he  not  been  cumbered  with  so  many  prisoners,  it 
is  not  in  the  power  of  any  one  to  estimate  the  damage 
he  would  have  done.  In  his  official  report  he  says  : 
"  On  this  day  I  captured  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty 
prisoners,  including  many  officers  of  rank,  and  de- 
stroyed the  Rebel  General  Ewell's  immense  wagon- 
train,  nine  miles  long." 

It  should  be  stated  that  these  wagons  were  mostly 
laden  with  the  ripened  and  gathered  crops  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland,  and  with  the  plunder  of  private 
and  public  stores,  including  dry  goods  and  groceries 
of  every  variety  and  quality.    None  who  saw  it  will 


270       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

ever  forget  the  appearance  of  that  mountain  road  the 
day  following  this  night's  foray. 

Stuart,  who  was  ingloriously  defeated  at  Mon- 
terey, retired  towards  Emmitsburg  with  about  fifty 
prisoners  that  he  had  captured  during  and  after  the 
fight.  He  then  moved  southward  until  he  struck  an 
unfrequented  road  which  leads  over  the  mountain  mA 
Wolfe's  Tavern.  By  this  turn  he  avoided  immediate 
contact  with  our  cavalry.  But  about  five  o'clock 
p.  M.,  as  he  was  about  to  debouch  into  the  valley,  Kil- 
patrick,  w^ho  was  watching  for  him  as  a  cat  does  a 
mouse,  attacked  him  with  artillery  and  fought  him 
till  dark.  This  fight  occurred  near  Smithburg,  whence 
the  prisoners  in  Kilpatrick's  hands  were  sent  to  South 
Mountain,  guarded  by  the  Harris  Light. 

Darkness  having  put  an  end  to  the  contest,  Kil- 
patrick  marched  through  Cavetow^n  to  Boonsboro', 
where  he  bivouacked  for  the  night.  Stuart,  it  w^as 
ascertained,  marched  till  about  midnight  to  the  small 
town  of  Leitersburgh,  where  he  rested  his  worn  and 
wearied  command.  His  condition  was  really  pitiable. 
A  large  number  of  his  men  were  mounted  on  shoeless 
horses,  w^hose  leanness  show^ed  that  they  had  made 
many  a  long  march  through  and  from  Virginia.  Or, 
as  was  the  case  with  a  large  proportion  of  them,  they 
liad  fat  horses,  which  were  stolen  from  the  fields  and 
stalls  of  the  invaded  States,  but,  being  entirely  un- 
used to  such  hard  and  cruel  treatment  as  they  were 
now  receiving,  were  well-nigh  unserviceable.  Lame- 
ness and  demoralization  were  prominent  characteris- 
tics among  animals  and  men. 

July  6. — This  morning,  at  an  early  hour,  Kil- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  271 

Patrick's  crowd  of  prisoners  were  turned  over  into 
the  hands  of  General  French,  and  then  his  command 
marched  to  Hagerstown,  taking  possession  of  the 
place  in  advance  of  Stuart,  wdiose  approach  about 
eleven  o'clock  was  met  with  determined  resistance, 
and,  at  first,  w^ith  great  success.  A  heavy  battle  was 
fought,  in  which  Kilpatrick's  men  showed  their  usual 
prowess  and  strength.  Had  not  Rebel  infantry  come 
to  the  aid  of  his  cavalry,  Stuart  would  have  suffered 
a  stunning  blow.  For  several  hours  the  contest  was 
wholly  between  cavalry  and  light  artillery.  Charges 
of  great  daring  and  skill  w^ere  made.  One  reporter 
says  :  Elder  gave  them  grape  and  canister,  and  the 
Fifth  New  York  sabres,  while  the  First  Yermont  used 
their  carbines." 

In  one  of  those  charges,  made  in  the  face  of  a 
very  superior  force.  Captain  James  A.  Penfield,  of 
the  Fifth  New  York,  at  the  head  of  his  company,  had 
his  horse  killed  under  him,  and,  while  struggling  to 
extricate  himself  from  the  animal,  which  lay  upon 
him  in  part,  he  was  struck  a  fearful  blow  of  a  sabre 
on  the  head,  which  came  near  severing  it  in  twain. 
Thus  wounded,  with  blood  streaming  down  upon  his 
long  beard  and  clothes,  he  was  made  a  prisoner.  In 
a  similar  charge  the  gallant  Captain  ITlric  Dahlgren 
lost  a  leg,  though  not  his  valuable  life. 

It  appeared  as  though  the  Rebels  were  afforded 
an  opportunity  to  avenge  themselves  in  part  for  the 
shameful  losses  w^hich  they  had  sustained  in  this  very 
place  by  the  strategic  operations  of  a  Union  scout,  by 
the  name  of  C.  A.  Phelps,  during  the  incipient  step 
of  the  invasion.    "We  will  let  the  scout  relate  his  own 


272       Three  Years  vn  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

stor}^,  which  is  corroborated  by  a  signal-officer,  who, 
from  one  of  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  mountains,  wit- 
nessed the  exciting  denouement.  The  scout  proceeds 
to  say : 

I  was  very  anxious  to  learn  all  about  General 
Stuart's  force  and  contemplated  movements,  and  re- 
solved to  see  the  general  himself  or  some  of  his  staff- 
officers,  soon  after  he  entered  Hagerstown. 

"  Accordingly  I  procured  of  a  Union  man  a  suit 
of  raglings,  knocked  off  one  boot-heel  to  make  one 
leg  appear  shorter  than  the  other,  and  put  a  gimblet, 
a  tow-string,  and  an  old  broken  jack-knife  in  my 
pockets.  My  jewelry  corresponded  with  my  clothes. 
I  adopted  the  name  of  George  Fry,  a  harvest-hand 
of  Dr.  Farney,  from  Wolfetown,  on  the  north  side  of 
the  mountain,  and  I  was  a  cripple  from  rheumatism. 
Having  completed  arrangements  with  Dr.  Farney, 
Mr.  Landers,  and  other  Union  men,  that  they  might 
be  of  service  to  me  in  case  the  Eebels  should  be  sus- 
picious of  my  character,  I  hobbled  away  on  my  peril- 
ous journey,  and  entered  the  city  by  leaping  the  high 
stone  wall  which  guards  it  on  the  north  side  near  the 
depot.  This  occurred  just  as  the  town-clock  struck 
one. 

"  It  was  a  clear,  starlight  night,  and  the  glistening 
sabres  of  the  sentries  could  be  seen  as  they  walked 
their  lonely  beat.  Scarcely  had  I  gained  the  side- 
walk leading  to  the  centre  of  the  town  when  the  sen- 
try nearest  me  cried,  '  Halt !  who  goes  there  ? '  'A 
friend,'  I  replied. 

"  '  A  friend  to  North  or  South  ? ' 

"  '  To  the  South,  of  course,  and  all  right.' 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  273 

'  Advance,  then,'  was  the  response.  On  reaching 
him,  he  asked  me  what  could  be  my  business  at  this 
hour  of  the  night.  I  told  him  I  had  come  in  to  see 
our  brave  boys,  who  could  whip  the  Yankees  so  hand- 
somely, as  they  had  done  especially  at  Bull  Run  and 
Chancellorsville.  We  fell  at  once  to  the  discussion 
of  the  war-questions  of  the  day.  In  the  midst  of  our 
colloquy  up  came  the  officer  of  the  guard  on  his 
'  grand  rounds,'  who,  after  probing  me  thoroughly,  as 
he  thought,  with  many  questions,  finally  said,  '  Had 
you  not  better  go  with  me  to  see  General  Stuart  ? ' 

'  I  should  reelly  like  ter  git  a  sight  of  the  gin'- 
ral,'  I  quickly  replied,  '  for  I  never  seen  a  reel  gin'- 
ral  in  all  my  life.' 

"  I  was  soon  in  the  presence  of  the  general,  who 
received  me  very  cordially.  I  found  him  to  be  a  man 
a  little  above  the  medium  height,  and  fine  looking. 
His  features  are  very  distinct  in  outline,  his  nose  long 
and  sharp,  his  eye  keen  and  restless.  His  complexion 
is  fiorid  and  his  manners  affable.  I  told  him  who  I 
was  and  where  I  lived  when  at  home.  '  Wolfetown ! ' 
exclaimed  the  general,  '  have  not  the  Yankees  a  large 
wagon-train  there  ? '  I  told  him  they  had  ;  and  then, 
turning  to  one  of  his  staff'-officers,  he  said,  '  I  must 
have  it ;  it  would  be  a  fine  prize.' 

"  I  noted  his  words  and  determined,  if  I  possessed 
any  Yankee  Avit,  to  make  use  of  it  on  this  occasion. 

'  Giri'ral,'  said  I,  '  you  all  don't  think  of  cap- 
terin'  them  are  Yankee  wagons,  do  you  ? ' 

"  '  Why  not  ?  I  have  here  five  thousand  cavalry 
and  sixteen  pieces  of  artillery,  and  I  understand  the 
train  is  lightly  guarded.' 


274       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

I  saw  that  he  had  been  properly  informed,  and 
I  told  him  they  came  there  last  evening  with  twelve 
big  brass  cannon  and  three  regiments  of  foot-soldiers, 
and  if  he  was  to  try  to  go  through  the  gap  of  the 
mountain  they  would  shoot  all  the  cannon  off  right 
in  the  gap,  and  kill  all  his  horses  and  men.  The  gen- 
eral smiled  at  my  naive  answer,  and  said  I  had  a 
strange  idea  of  war  if  I  thought  so  many  men  would 
be  killed  at  once,  and  added  that  I  would  not  be  a 
very  brave  soldier.  I  replied  that  many  times  I  had 
felt  like  going  into  the  Confederate  army,  but  my 
rheumatism  kept  me  out. 

"  After  a  while  the  general  concluded  not  to  try 
the  train,  and  I  was  heartily  glad,  for  he  would  have 
taken  at  least  two  hundred  wagons  easily,  as  they 
were  guarded  by  not  more  than  three  hundred  men. 

He  then  gave  orders  to  have  the  main  body  of 
his  cavalry  move  towards  Green  Castle ;  and  I  dis- 
tinctly heard  him  give  orders  to  the  Major  to  remain 
in  town  with  fifty  men  as  rearguard,  and  to  send  on 
the  army  mail,  which  was  expected  there  about  six 
the  next  evening.  I  made  up  my  mind  that  it  would 
be  a  small  mail  he  would  get,  as  I  proposed  to  myself 
to  be  postmaster  for  once. 

"  After  seeing  the  general  and  his  cavalry  move 
out  of  town,  I  went  directly  for  my  horse,  which  I 
had  concealed  in  a  safe  place  some  distance  from  the 
city,  meanwhile  surveying  the  ground  to  see  which 
way  I  could  best  come  in  to  capture  the  mail,  and 
determined  to  charge  the  place  on  the  pike  from 
Boonsboro',  and  made  my  arrangements  to  that  effect. 
I  got  a  Union  man,  by  the  name  of  Thornburgh,  to 


Tlirce  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  275 

go  into  the  town  and  notify  the  Union  people  that, 
when  the  town-clock  struck  six  p.  m.,  I  would  charge 
in  and  capture  the  Rebel  mail,  at  the  risk  of  losing 
my  own  life  and  every  man  with  me.  I  had  now  but 
eight  men,  two  having  been  sent  to  General  Stahel 
with  despatches. 

I  then  returned  to  Boonsboro',  and  found  my 
men  waiting  for  me.  I  told  them  my  intentions,  and 
offered  to  send  back  to  his  regiment  any  man  who 
feared  to  go  with  me.  But  every  one  bravely  said  he 
would  not  leave  me,  nor  surrender  without  my  ord^r. 
I  then  ordered  them  to  bring  out  their  horses,  and  we 
were  soon  on  the  road.  It  was  a  moment  of  thrilling 
interest  to  us  all,  as  we  approached  Ilagerstown,  and 
lingered  to  hear  the  signal-strokes  of  that  monitor  in 
the  old  church-tower.  At  the  appointed  time  (we 
had  already  entered  into  the  edge  of  the  town),  with 
a  wild  shout  we  dashed  into  the  streets,  and  the  Major 
and  his  fifty  braves  fled  without  firing  a  shot.  We 
captured  sixteen  prisoners,  twenty-six  horses,  several 
small-arms,  and  a  heavy  army  mail,  which  contained 
three  important  despatches  from  Jeff.  Davis,  and  two 
from  the  Rebel  Secretary  of  War  to  General  Lee. 
All  this  substantial  booty  we  safely  carried  within 
our  own  lines,  Avithout  the  loss  of  a  man  or  a  horse. 

'^Many  thanks  are  due  to  Dr.  C.  R.  Doran  and 
Mr.  Robert  Thornburgh,  for  their  kind  and  timely 
assistance,  and  also  to  Misses  Susie  Carson  and  Addie 
Brenner,  who  did  so  much  for  the  comfort  of  our 
brave  men.  I  still  have  in  my  possession  some  choice 
flowers,  preserved  from  a  bouquet  presented  to  me  by 
Miss  Carson  the  evening  we  captured  the  Rebel  mail ; 


276       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


and  tliougli  the  flowers  have  faded,  the  good  deeds 
done  by  the  giver  will  ever  grow  bright  through  com- 
ing time.    All  honor  to  the  brave  Union  ladies." 

In  these  same  streets,  where  Captain  Bi'iggs  with 
his  telescope  witnessed  the  successful  charge  of  the 
scouting  party,  raged  the  battle  hotly  on  the  sixth  of 
July.  But,  as  the  liebel  infantry  Avas  advancing  with 
heavy  artillery  to  the  aid  of  Stuart's  cavalry,  Kilpat- 
rick  was  sorely  pressed,  and,  at  length,  compelled  to 
retire.  His  ears  were  now  saluted  with  the  sound  of 
artillery  in  the  direction  of  Williamsport,  and  a  mes- 
senger arrived  with  the  intelligence  that  General  John 
Bufoi-d,  who  had  advanced  through  the  South  Moun- 
tain Pass,  was  now  attempting  to  destroy  Lee's  im- 
mense supply  train,  which  was  packed  near  TVilliams- 
port,  and  not  very  heavily  guarded. 

Kilpatrick  desired  no  better  work  than  to  assist 
his  brave  comrade,  and  he  at  once  hastened  down  the 
main  road,  and  soon  joined  Buford  in  the  work  of 
destruction.  These  combined  commands  were  making 
fearful  havoc  in  the  Rebel  commissary  and  quarter- 
master stores.  Many  wagons  were  burned,  and  the 
whole  train  would  have  shared  the  same  fate  had  not 
the  united  infantry  and  cavalry  of  the  enemy  come 
down  upon  us  in  overwhelming  force.  But  we  were 
not  to  be  driven  away  very  suddenly  nor  cheaply. 
Long  and  desperately  we  contended  with  the  accu- 
mulating forces,  until  darkness  came  on,  when  we 
found  ourselves  completely  enveloped  by  the  foe. 
Nothing  but  splendid  generalship  and  true  bravery 
on  the  part  of  our  officers  and  men  saved  us  from 
capture  and  destruction.    Some  of  our  number  were 


THE  UmKi 
OF  THE 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  279 


made  prisoners,  but  our  losses  were  very  small  con- 
sidering the  amount  of  depredations  we  had  commit- 
ted, and  the  great  danger  to  which  we  were  exposed. 
As  it  was,  the  commands  were  successfully  withdrawn 
from  their  hazardous  position,  and  through  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night  we  crossed  Antietam  Creek,  and 
bivouacked  in  safety  on  the  opposite  bank.  Several 
prisoners  were  captured  from  the  Rebels  during  the 
fights  of  the  day.  They  were  mostly  from  Alabama 
and  Louisiana  regiments ;  and  they  state  that  their 
army  is  all  together,  and  well  on  its  way  to  the  river. 
They  speak  doubtfully  of  Lee's  recrossing  the  Poto- 
m.ac. 

July  7. — Our  cavalry  is  in  the  vicinity  of  Boons- 
boro',  and  is  acting  mostly  on  the  defensive.  The 
enemy  in  force  is  in  our  front,  and  an  attack  is  mo- 
mentarily expected.  At  six  p.  m.  "  to  horse  "  was 
sounded  throughout  our  camps ;  and,  after  waiting 
two  hours  in  rain,  ready  for  a  move,  orders  were  re- 
ceived to  return  to  our  quarters.  Rain  is  now  falling 
in  torrents,  accompanied  with  fearful  thunderings  and 
lightnings.  Unpleasant  as  it  is,  we  welcome  its  pelt- 
ings,  hoping  that  the  storm  will  raise  the  Potomac 
above  the  fording  mark,  and  thus  give  Meade  an  op- 
portunity to  attack  Lee  before  he  has  time  to  recross 
the  river  into  Virginia.  We  know  that  his  pontoons 
at  Falling  Waters  have  been  totally  destroyed  by  our 
cavalry  and  by  the  high  water,  and  that  the  only  ford 
available  is  at  Williamsport,  and  hence  we  welcome 
the  falling  floods.  Many  of  us  have  to  lie  down  in 
water,  which,  however,  is  not  very  cold.  But  the 
night  is  very  tedious 


280       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CavaJ/ry. 

July  8. — The  sun  came  out  bright  and  warm  this 
morning,  enabling  ns  in  a  few  moments  to  dry  onr 
drenched  blankets  and  garments.  The  roads,  how- 
ever, abound  in  mud,  and  the  streams  are  enormously 
swollen.  Early  in  the  day  our  pickets  were  driven  in 
along  the  Antietam,  and  the  enemy  advanced  with 
such  force  that  by  noon  the  plains  around  Boonsboro' 
were  the  scene  of  a  furious  cavalry  engagement. 

CAVALRY  BATTLE  AT  BOONSBORO'. 

Dr.  Moore,  from  whose  excellent  reports  we  have 
before  quoted,  gives  the  following  graphic  description 
of  this  cavalry  duel :  Buford  had  the  right  and  Kil- 
patrick  the  left.  The  movements  of  the  cavalry  lines 
in  this  battle  were  among  the  finest  sights  the  author 
remembers  ever  to  have  seen.  It  was  here  he  first 
saw  the  young  general  (Kilpatrick),  and  little  thought 
that  one  day  the  deeds  he  saw  him  perform  he  would 
transmit  to  paper  and  to  posterity.  Here,  all  day 
long,  the  Eebel  and  the  Union  cavalry-chiefs  fought, 
mounted  and  dismounted,  and  striving  in  every  man- 
ner possible  to  defeat  and  rout  the  other.  The  din 
and  roar  of  battle  that,  from  ten  a.  m.  until  long  after 
dark,  had  rolled  over  the  plains  and  back  through  the 
mountains,  told  to  the  most  anxious  generals  of  them 
all,  Meade  and  Lee,  how  desperate  was  the  struggle — 
Stuart  and  his  men  fighting  for  the  safety  of  the  Rebel 
army,  Buford  and  Kilpatrick  for  South  Mountain's 
narrow  Pass. 

Just  as  the  setting  sun  sent  his  last  rays  over  that 
muddy  battle-field,  Buford  and  Kilpatrick  were  seen 
rapidly  approaching  eacli  other  from  opposite  direc- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  281 

tions.  Thej  met ;  a  few  hasty  words  were  exchanged, 
and  away  dashed  Buford  far  off  to  the  right,  and  Kil- 
patrick  straight  to  the  centre;  and  in  less  than  twenty 
minutes,  from  right  to  centre,  and  from,  centre  to  left, 
the  clear  notes  of  the  bngles  rang  out  the  welcome 
charging,  and  with  one  long,  wild  shont,  those  glori- 
ous squadrons  of  Buford  and  Kilpatrick,  from  right  to 
left,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see,  in  one  unbroken  line, 
charged  upon  the  foe.  The  shock  was  irresistible ;  the 
Rebel  line  was  broken — the  routed  enemy  confessed 
the  superiority  of  our  men  as  they  fled  from  the  well- 
fought  field,  leaving  their  dead  and  dying  behind 
them  ;  and  our  heroic  chiefs  led  back  their  victorious 
squadrons,  and,  while  resting  on  their  laurels,  gave 
their  brave,  wearied  troops  a  momentary  repose." 

Thus  far  our  cavalry  had  done  much  to  obstruct 
the  retreat  of  the  Rebel  army,  and  had  inflicted  in- 
calculable losses  of  men  and  materials.  But  the  pur- 
suit of  our  main  army  was  not  correspondingly  vig- 
orous. Two  pretty  good  reasons  may  be  assigned  for 
this  seeming  incompetency  or  want  of  energy.  The 
first  reason  is  found  in  the  fact  that  scarcely  more 
than  a  brigade  of  infantry  had  been  kept  in  reserve 
during  the  great  and  destructive  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
while  the  three  days  of  struggle  had  well-nigh  ex- 
hausted our  entire  strength.  Best  was  therefore 
greatly  needed,  and  a  general  engagement  was  to  be 
guarded  against.  It  should  also  be  remembered  that 
nearly  one  fourth  of  our  entire  army  was  hors  de 
cornbaL  The  second  reason  may  be  found  in  the 
heavy  rains  which  fell,  impeding  pursuers,"  as  one 
writer  says,  "  more  than  pursued,  though  they  need 
12 


282 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


not."  But  the  retreating  army  has  this  advantage ; 
it  usually  chooses  its  own  route,  wliich  it  can  gene- 
rally cover  or  hide  by  means  of  stratagem,  so  that  it 
requires  time  as  well  as  study  to  effectually  pursue. 
Perhaps  a  third  reason  for  our  tardiness  of  pursuit 
should  be  presented.  Does  it  not  appear  to  be  an 
overruling  act  of  Providence  ?  Had  General  Meade 
advanced,  as  it  seems  he  might  have  done  with  the 
resources  at  his  cotnmand,  against  the  demoralized, 
decimated,  and  flying  army,  with  its  ammunition 
quite  exhausted,  and  a  swollen  river,  unfordable  and 
bridgeless,  between  it  and  safety,  Lee  could  not  have 
escaped  annihilation.  But  the  public  sentiment  of 
the  country,  though  forming  and  improving  rapidly, 
was  not  yet  prepared  for  such  a  victory.  We  needed 
to  spend  more  treasure,  spill  more  blood,  sacrifice 
more  i^recious  lives,  to  lift  us  up  to  those  heights  of 
public  and  political  virtue,  where  we  could  be  safely 
entrusted  with  so  dear  a  boon.  We  were  not  then 
prepared  for  peace,  that  sovereign  balm  for  a  nation's 
woes. 

The  tardiness  with  which  our  movements  were 
made  enabled  the  enemy  to  reach  a  good  position 
near  Hagerstown,  wliich  he  began  to  fortify  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  cover  his  crossing.  Mean  time  we  un- 
derstood that  successful  efforts  were  made  to  rebuild 
the  bridge  at  Falling  Waters, 

General  Meade,  in  his  ofScial  report,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  his  pursuit :  The  fifth  and  sixth 
of  July  were  employed  in  succoring  the  wounded  and 
burying  the  dead.  Major-General  Sedgwick,  com- 
manding the  Sixth  Corps,  having  pushed  the  pursuit 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  283 


of  the  enemy  as  far  as  the  Fairfield  Pass  and  tlie 
mountains,  and  reporting  tliat  the  pass  was  very 
strong — one  in  which  a  small  force  of  the  enemy 
could  hold  in  check  and  delay  for  a  considerable  time 
any  pursuing  force — I  determined  to  follow  the  enemy 
by  a  flank  movement,  and,  accordingly,  leaving  Mc- 
intosh's brigade  of  cavalry  and  Neil's  brigade  of 
infantry  to  continue  harassing  the  enemy,  I  put  the 
army  in  motion  for  Middletown,  and  orders  were  im- 
mediately sent  to  Major-General  French,  at  Frederick, 
to  reoccupy  Harper's  Ferry,  and  send  a  force  to  occu- 
py Turner's  Pass,  in  South  Mountains.  I  subsequent- 
ly ascertained  that  Major-General  French  had  not 
only  anticipated  these  orders  in  part,  but  had  pushed 
a  cavalr}^  force  to  Williamsport  and  Falling  Waters, 
whei-e  they  destroyed  the  enemy's  pontoon  bridge, 
and  captured  its  guard.  Buford  was  at  the  same  time 
sent  to  Williamsport  and  Hagerstown.  The  duty 
above  assigned  to  the  cavalry  was  most  successfully 
accomplished,  the  enemy  being  greatly  harassed,  his 
trains  destroyed,  and  many  captures  of  guns  and 
prisoners  made." 

Juhj  10. — This  morning,  at  Ave  o'clock,  the  cav-* 
airy  advanced  from  Boonsboro',  passed  through  Kee- 
dysville,  and  crossed  the  Antietam  about  ten  o'clock. 
At  twelve  o'clock  we  engaged  the  enemy  at  Jones' 
Cross  Roads.  The  Harris  Light  led  the  advance,  dis- 
mounted. The  Eebels  were  driven  three  consecutive 
times  from  as  many  positions  which  they  had  chosen. 
Their  resistance  was  by  no  means  strong  nor  deter- 
mined. Before  night  Buford  moved  his  command  to 
Sharpsburg,  on  the  extreme  left  of  our  lines,  and  Kil- 


284       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

patrick  advanced  to  a  position  on  the  extreme  right, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Hagerstown,  where  he  covered  the 
road  to  Gettysburg.  On  the  eleventh  only  picket 
skirmishes  occupied  the  time.  But  on  the  twelfth 
Kilpatrick,  supported  by  a  brigade  of  infantry  under 
the  command  of  Brigadier-General  Ames,  of  How- 
ard's Corps,  advanced  upon  the  enemy  near  Hagers- 
town,  drove  them  from  their  works,  and  then  out  of 
the  streets  of  the  city,  and  took  permanent  possession. 
This  successful  movement  greatly  contracted  our  lines, 
and  brought  our  forces  into  a  better  position.  At  the 
close  of  this  enterprise,  as  we  are  informed,  General 
Meade  called  a  council  of  war,  at  which  was  discussed 
earnestly  and  long  the  propriety  of  attacking  the 
enemy.  Notwithstanding  the  anxiety  of  the  chief 
commander  to  advance  and  reap  fully  the  fruit  of  Get- 
tysburg, five  of  his  corps  commanders,  out  of  eight, 
argued  against  the  measure,  and  as  Meade  did  not 
desire  to  assume  the  grave  responsibility  of  a  move- 
ment against  such  protests,  no  move  was  immediately 
attempted. 

This  statement  may  modify  the  condemnatory 
judgments  Avhich  were  formed  against  General  Meade, 
and  may  prepare  our  minds  rightly  to  interpret  Gen- 
eral A.  P.  Howe's  report  of  the  general  pursuit.  In 
narrating  its  spirit  and  progress,  he  says :  On  the 
fourth  of  July  it  seemed  evident  enough  that  the 
enemy  were  retreating.  How  far  they  were  gone  we 
could  not  see  from  the  front.  We  could  see  but  a 
comparatively  small  force  from  the  position  where  I 
was.  On  Sunday  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps  moved 
in  pursuit.    As  we  moved,  a  small  rearguard  of  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  285 

enemy  retreated.  "We  followed  them,  with  this  small 
rearguard  of  the  enemy  before  us,  up  to  Fairfield,  in 
a  gorge  of  the  mountains.  There  we  again  waited 
for  them  to  go  on.  There  seemed  to  be  no  disposition 
to  push  this  rearguard  when  we  got  up  to  Fairfield. 
A  lieutenant  from  the  enemy  came  into  our  lines  and 
gave  himself  up.  He  was  a  Northern  Union  man,  in 
service  in  one  of  the  Georgia  regiments ;  and,  with- 
out being  asked,  he  unhesitatingly  told  me,  when  I 
met  him  as  he  was  being  brought  in,  that  he  belonged 
to  the  artillery  of  the  rearguard  of  the  enemy,  and 
that  they  had  but  two  rounds  of  ammunition  with  the 
rearguard.  But  we  waited  there  without  receiving 
any  orders  to  attack.  It  was  a  place  where,  as  I  in- 
formed General  Sedgwick,  we  could  easily  attack  the 
enemy  with  advantage.  But  no  movement  was  made 
by  us  until  the  enemy  went  away.  Then  one  bri- 
gade of  my  division,  with  some  cavalry,  was  sent  to 
follow  after  them,  while  the  remainder  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  moved  to  the  left.  We  moved  on  through 
Boonsboro',  and  passed  up  on  the  pike-road  leading 
to  Hagerstown. 

"  After  passing  Boonsboro'  it  became  my  turn  to 
lead  the  Sixth  Corps.  That  day,  just  before  we  start- 
ed. General  Sedgwick  ordered  me  to  move  on  and 
take  up  the  best  position  1  could  over  a  little  stream 
on  the  Frederick  side  of  Funkstown.  As  I  moved 
on,  it  was  suggested  to  me  by  him  to  move  carefully. 
'  Don't  come  into  contact  with  the  enemy  ;  we  don't 
want  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement.'  It  seemed 
to  be  the  current  impression  that  it  was  not  desired 
to  bring  on  a  general  engagement.    I  moved  on  until 


286       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

we  came  near  Funkstown.  General  Buford  was  along 
that  way  with  his  cavalry.  I  had  passed  over  the 
stream  referred  to,  and  found  a  strong  position,  which 
I  concluded  to  take,  and  wait  for  the  Sixth  Corps  to 
come  up.  In.  the  meantime  General  Buford,  who  was 
in  front,  came  back  to  me,  and  said,  '  I  am  pretty 
hardly  engaged  here  ;  I  have  used  a  great  deal  of  my 
ammunition  ;  it  is  a  strong  place  in  front ;  it  is  an 
excellent  position.'  It  was  a  little  farther  out  than  I 
was — near  Funkstown.  He  said,  '  I  have  used  a 
great  deal  of  my  ammunition,  and  I  ought  to  go  to 
the  right ;  suppose  you  move  up  there,  or  send  up  a 
brigade,  or  even  a  part  of  one,  and  hold  that  position.' 
Said  I,  '  I  will  do  so  at  once,  if  I  can  just  communi- 
cate with  General  Sedgwick ;  I  am  ordered  to  take 
up  a  position  over  here,  and  hold  it,  and  the  intima- 
tion conveyed  to  me  was,  that  they  did  not  want  to 
get  into  a  general  engagement ;  I  will  send  for  Gen- 
eral Sedgwick,  and  ask  permission  to  hold  that  posi- 
tion, and  relieve  you.'  I  accordingly  sent  a  staff-offi- 
cer to  General  Sedgwick  with  a  request  that  I  might 
go  up  at  once  and  assist  General  Buford,  stating  that 
he  had  a  strong  position,  but  his  ammunition  was 
giving  out.  General  Buford  remained  with  me  until 
I  should  get  an  answer.  The  answer  was,  '  No  ;  we 
do  not  want  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement.' 
'  Well,'  said  I,  '  Buford,  what  can  I  do  ? '  He  said, 
'  They  expect  me  to  go  farther  to  the  right ;  my  am- 
munition is  pretty  much  out.  That  position  is  a 
strong  one,  and  we  ought  not  to  let  it  go.'  I  sent 
down  again  to  General  Sedgwick,  stating  the  condi- 
tion of  General  Buford,  and  that  he  would  have  to 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  287 

leave  unless  he  could  get  some  assistance ;  that  his 
position  was  not  far  in  front,  and  that  it  seemed  to 
me  that  we  should  hold  it,  and  1  should  like  to  send 
some  force  up  to  picket  it  at  least.  After  a  time  I 
got  a  reply  that,  if  General  Buford  left,  I  might  oc- 
cupy the  position.  General  Buford  was  still  with 
me,  and  I  said  to  him,  ^  If  you  go  aw^ay  from  there  I 
will  have  to  hold  it.'  '  That's  all  right,'  said  he,  ^  I 
wdll  go  away.'  He  did  so,  and  I  moved  right  up.  It 
was  a  pretty  good  position  when  you  cover  your 
troops.  Soon  after  relieving  Buford,  we  saw  some 
Rebel  infantry  advancing.  I  do  not  know  whether 
they  brought  them  from  Hagerstowm,  or  from  some 
other  place.  They  made  three  dashes,  not  in  heavy 
force,  upon  our  line  to  drive  us  back.  The  troops 
that  happened  to  be  there  on  our  line  were  wdiat  we 
considered,  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  unusually 
good  ones.  They  quietly  repulsed  the  Eebels  twice, 
and  the  third  time  they  came  up  they  sent  them  fly- 
ing into  Funkstown. 

"  Yet  there  was  no  permission  to  move  on  and 
follow  up  the  enemy.  We  remained  there  some  time, 
until  we  had  orders  to  move  on  and  take  a  position  a 
mile  or  more  nearer  Hagerstown.  As  we  moved  up 
we  saw  that  the  Kebels  had  some  light  field-works — 
hurriedly  thrown  up,  apparently — to  cover  themselves 
while  they  recrossed  the  river.  I  think  we  remained 
there  three  days ;  and  the  third  night,  I  think,  after 
we  got  up  into  that  position,  it  was  said  the  Rebels  re- 
crossed  the  river." 

Sunday^  July  12. — I  had  the  misfortune  to  be 
kicked  off  my  pins  last  night,  just  before  we  were  re- 


288       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

lieved  at  the  front.  Approaching  my  sorrel  pony 
from  the  rear,  in  a  careless  manner,  for  he  conld  not 
see  me  nntil  I  got  within  short  range,  when  he  raised 
his  heels  very  suddenly,  and,  w^ithout  ceremony,  plant- 
ed them  in  my  breast,  laying  me,  not  in  the  most  gen- 
tle manner,  flat  upon  the  ground.  Medical  aid  is  con- 
sidered necessary  to-day,  as  I  am  suffering  not  a  little. 
But,  as  the  conflict  w^as  purely  caused  by  my  own 
folly,  I  endure  my  pains  with  becoming  patience. 

To-day  I  found  the  following  despatches  in  some 
Northern  paper,  and  I  record  them  to  show  w^hat  con- 
tradictory reports  will  often  find  their  way  into  the 
public  press  concerning  men  and  measures  : 

Mountain-House^  near  Boonsboro\  July  9. — 
There  has  been  no  fighting  this  morning.  The  fight 
of  yesterday,  near  Boonsboro',  was  between  Generals 
Buford  and  Kilpatrick's  cavalry  and  Rebel  infantry, 
principally  on  the  bushwhacking  style.  Our  troops 
fell  back  early  in  the  day,  but  subsequently  reoccu- 
pied  the  ground.    Artillery  was  used  on  both  sides. 

There  is  no  truth  in  the  reported  death  of  Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick." 

(SECOND  DESPATCH.) 

Boons'boro\  July  9,  8  p.  m. — There  have  been  no 
active  operations  on  our  front  to-day.  After  the  cav- 
alry fight  of  yesterday  the  enemy  drew  in  their  forces 
towards  Hagerstown,  and  formed  a  line  on  elevated 
ground  from  Funkstown  on  the  right  to  the  bend  of 
the  river  below  Williamsport  on  the  left,  thus  un- 
covering the  Shepherdstown  crossing.  Scouts  and 
reconnoitring  parties  report  that  Lee  is  entrenching 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  289 

his  front  and  drawing  from  his  train  on  the  Virginia 
side,  and  making  general  preparations  for  another 
battle.  It  is  contradicted,  to-night,  that  we  have  a 
force  on  General  Lee's  line  of  retreat  in  Virginia." 

July  13. — All  has  been  quiet  along  our  lines  to- 
day. The  army,  being  pretty  well  rested  by  this 
time,  is  waiting  impatiently  for  the  command  to  ad- 
vance. Our  position  is  also  a  good  one,  though  not 
better  than  that  of  the  enemy.  We  have  every  rea- 
son to  believe  that  the  Eebel  army  is  still  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Potomac.  The  recent  rains  have  raised 
the  river  above  the  fording  mark.  Plowever,  Lee  will 
undoubtedly  fall  back  into  Virginia  if  he  finds  a  good 
opportunity.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  day  Gen- 
eral Meade  finally  decided  to  assault  the  position  of 
the  invaders.  Very  much  to  the  delight  of  the  rank 
and  file  of  the  army,  orders  were  promulgated  to  the 
eflFect  that  a  strong  and  simultaneous  advance  must 
be  made  early  on  the  morning  of  the  fourteenth. 
Preparations  were  immediately  begun. 

FALLING  WATERS. 

Kilpatrick  and  his  cavalry  w^ere  sent  out  on  picket, 
and  advanced  as  near  the  enemy's  lines  as  it  was  pru- 
dent. Not  many  hours  of  the  night  had  passed 
away  when  Kilpatrick  discovered  certain  movements 
which  indicated  that  the  enemy  was  leaving  his 
front.  Prepared  as  he  was  to  attack  them  by  the 
morning  light,  he  was  ready  to  follow  up  any  move- 
ment which  they  might  make.  Hence,  at  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  fourteenth,  his  advance- 
guard  moved  forward  upon  the  retiring  enemv.  While 
12* 


290       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


information  of  this  unexpected  movement  of  the  ene- 
my was  despatched  to  General  Meade,  Kilpatrick  ad- 
vanced towards  Williamsport  with  his  usual  rapidity 
and  power,  driving  and  capturing  every  thing  before 
him.  Informed  by  citizens  that  the  rearguard  of  the 
retreating  army  had  but  a  few  moments  before  started 
from  the  river,  he  followed  closely  in  their  tracks,  and 
struck  them  at  Falling  Waters,  where,  after  a  bril- 
liant and  sharp  conflict,  he  bagged  a  large  number  of 
prisoners.  Many  a  poor  fellow  never  reached  the 
long-looked-for  Virginia  shore. 

General  Meade  then  sent  the  following  despatch 
to  Washington : 

Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac,  ) 
July  14,  3  p.  M.  f 

H.  W.  HallecJc^  Oeneral-in- Chief : 

My  cavalry  now  occupy  Falling  Waters,  having  overtaken 
and  captured  a  brigade  of  infantry,  fifteen  hundred  strong, 
two  guns,  two  caissons,  two  battle-flags,  and  a  large  number  of 
small-arms.    The  enemy  are  all  across  the  Potomac. 

George  G.  Meade,  Major- General. 

Later  in  the  day  he  sent  the  following : 

Headquarters  Army  op  the  Potomac,  ) 
July  14,  8.30  p.  M.  ) 

Major- General  Halleck^  General-in-Chief : 

Mj  cavalry  have  captured  five  hundred  prisoners,  in  addi- 
tion to  those  previously  reported.  General  Pettigrew,  of  the 
Confederate  army,  was  killed  this  morning  in  the  attack  on  the 
enemy's  rearguard.    His  body  is  in  our  hands. 

G.  G.  ]\Ieade,  Major- General, 

These  despatches  were  afterward  denied  by  Gen- 
eral Lee  in  a  letter  to  his  authorities,  as  follows : 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  291 


Headquarters  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  ) 
July  ,1803.  f 

General  8.  Cooper,  Adjutant  and  Inspector- General  C.  8,  A, : 

General  :  I  have  seen  in  the  Korthern  papers  what  pur- 
ports to  be  an  official  despatch  from  General  Meade,  stating 
that  he  had  captured  a  brigade  of  infantry,  two  pieces  of 
artillery,  two  caissons,  and  a  large  number  of  small-arms,  as 
this  army  retired  to  the  south  bank  of  the  Potomac  on  the 
thirteenth  and  fourteenth  instant.  This  despatch  has  been 
copied  into  the  Richmond  papers  ;  and,  as  its  official  character 
may  cause  it  to  be  believed,  I  desire  to  state  that  it  is  incor- 
rect. The  enemy  did  not  capture  any  organized  body  of  men 
on  that  occasion,  but  only  stragglers,  and  such  as  were  left 
asleep  on  the  road,  exhausted  by  the  fatigue  and  exposure  of 
one  of  the  most  inclement  nights  I  have  ever  known  at  this 
season  of  the  year.  It  rained  without  cessation,  rendering  the 
road  by  which  our  troops  marched  toward  the  bridge  at  Fall- 
ing Waters  very  difficult  to  pass,  and  causing  so  much  delay 
that  the  last  of  the  troops  did  not  cross  the  river  at  the  bridge 
until  one  a.  m.  on  the  morning  of  the  fourteenth. 

While  the  column  was  thus  detained  on  the  road  a  number 
of  men,  worn  down  with  fatigue,  laid  down  in  barns  and  by 
the  roadside,  and  though  officers  were  sent  back  to  arouse 
them  as  the  troops  moved  on,  the  darkness  and  rain  prevented 
them  from  finding  all,  and  many  were  in  this  way  left  behind. 
Two  guns  were  left  on  the  road ;  the  horses  that  drew  them 
became  exhausted,  and  the  officers  went  back  to  procure  others. 
When  they  returned,  the  rear  of  the  column  had  passed  the 
guns  so  far  that  it  was  deemed  unsafe  to  send  back  for  them, 
and  they  were  thus  lost.  No  arms,  cannon,  or  prisoners  were 
taken  by  the  enemy  in  battle,  but  only  such  as  were  left  behind, 
as  I  have  described,  under  the  circumstances.  The  number  of 
stragglers  thus  lost  I  am  unable  to^' state  with  accuracy,  but  it 
is  greatly  exaggerated  in  the  despatch  referred  to. 
I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  E.  Lee,  General, 

This  was  evidently  an  attempt,  on  the  part  of  the 


292 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavah^y. 


Eebel  leader,  to  disparage  our  victories  and  to  wipe 
out  of  liis  record,  with  a  sort  of  legerdemain,  the  dis- 
graceful and  disastrous  denouement  of  his  invasion. 
In  the  following  important  statement  General  Meade 
confirms  his  position  by  incontestable  facts,  and  shows 
how  the  matter  stood  : 

Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac,  \ 
Aug.  ,  1863.  S 

Major- General  Halleck^  Oeneralrin-CMef  : 

My  attention  has  been  called  to  what  purports  to  be  an 
official  despatch  of  General  K.  E.  Lee,  commanding  the  Rebel 
army,  to  General  S.  Cooper,  Adjutant  and  Inspector- General, 
denying  the  accuracy  of  my  telegram  to  you,  of  July  four- 
teenth, announcing  the  result  of  the  cavalry  affair  at  Falling 
Waters. 

I  have  delayed  taking  any  notice  of  Lee's  report  until  the 
return  of  Brigadier-General  Kilpatrick,  absent  on  leave,  who 
commanded  the  cavalry  on  the  occasion  referred  to,  and  on 
whose  report  from  the  field  my  telegram  was  based.  I  now  en- 
close the  official  re]»ort  of  Brigadier- General  Kilpatrick,  made 
after  his  attention  had  been  called  to  Lee's  report.  You  will 
see  that  he  reiterates  and  confirms  all  that  my  despatch  averred, 
and  proves  most  conclusively  that  General  Lee  has  been  de- 
ceived by  his  subordinates,  or  he  would  never,  in  the  face  of  the 
facts  now  alleged,  have  made  the  assertion  his  report  claims. 

It  appears  that  I  was  in  error  in  stating  that  the  body  of 
General  Pettigrew  was  left  in  our  hands,  although  I  did  not 
communicate  that  fact  until  an  officer  from  the  field  reported 
to  me  he  had  seen  the  body.  It  is  now  ascertained,  from  the 
Richmond  papers,  that  General  Pettigrew,  though  mortally 
wounded  in  the  affair,  was  taken  to  Winchester,  where  he  sub- 
sequently died.  The  three  "battle-flags  captured  on  this  occa- 
sion, and  sent  to  Washington,  belonged  to  the  Fortieth,  Forty- 
seventh,  and  Fifty-fifth  Virginia  regiments  of  infantry. 

General  Lee  will  surely  acknowledge  these  were  not  left  in 
the  hands  of  stragglers  asleep  in  barns. 

George  G.  Meade,  Majoi^- General  Commanding, 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  293 


Eilpatrick,  in  his  letter  of  explanation,  referred  to 
in  the  above  despatch,  gives  the  following  graphic 
account  of  this  last  scene  in  the  great  drama  of  the 
invasion : 

Headquarters  Third  Division  Cavalry  Corps,  ) 
Warrentou  Junction,  Va.,  Aug.  ,  J 

To  Colonel  A.  J.  Alexander^  Chief  of  Staff  of  Cavalry  Corjps : 

Colonel  :  In  compliance  with  a  letter  just  received  from 
the  headquarters  of  the  Cavalry  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  directing  me  to  give  the  facts  connected  with  the 
fight  at  Falling  Waters,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that,  at  three 
A.  M.  of  the  fourteenth  ultimo,  I  learned  that  the  enemy's  pick- 
ets were  retiring  in  my  front.  Having  been  previously  ordered 
to  attack  at  seven  a.  m.,  I  was  ready  to  move  at  once. 

At  daylight  I  had  reached  the  crest  of  hills  occupied  by 
the  enemy  an  hour  before,  and,  a  few  minutes  before  six.  Gen- 
eral Custer  drove  the  rearguard  of  the  enemy  into  the  river  at 
Williamsport.  Learning  from  citizens  that  a  portion  of  the 
enemy  had  retreated  in  the  direction  of  Falling  "Waters,  I  at 
once  moved  rapidly  for  that  point,  and  came  up  with  this 
rearguard  of  the  enemy  at  seven-thirty  a.  m.,  at  a  point  two 
miles  distant  from  Falling  Waters.  We  pressed  on,  driving 
them  before  us,  capturing  many  prisoners  and  one  gun.  When 
within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  Falling  Waters,  the  enemy  was 
found  in  large  force,  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  on  the  crest  of 
a  hill,  commanding  the  road  on  which  I  was  advancing.  His 
left  was  protected  by  earthworks,  and  his  right  extended  to 
the  woods  on  our  left. 

The  enemy  was,  when  first  seen,  in  two  lines  of  battle,  with 
arms  stacked  within  less  than  one  thousand  yards  of  the  large 
force.  A  second  piece  of  artillery,  with  its  support,  consisting 
of  infantry,  was  captured  while  attempting  to  get  into  posi- 
tion. The  gun  was  taken  to  the  rear.  A  portion  of  the  Sixth 
Michigan  Cavalry,  seeing  only  that  portion  of  the  enemy  be- 
hind the  earthworks,  charged.  This  charge  was  led  by  Major 
Webber,  and  was  the  most  gallant  ever  made.  At  a  trot  he 
passed  up  the  hill,  received  the  fire  from  the  whole  line,  and 


294:       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


the  next  moment  rode-  through  and  over  the  earthworks,  and 
passed  to  the  right,  sabring  the  Rebels  along  the  entire  line, 
and  returned  with  a  loss  of  thirty  killed,  wounded,  and  miss- 
ing, including  the  gallant  Major  Webber,  killed. 

I  directed  General  Custer  to  send  forward  one  regiment  as 
skirmishers.  They  were  repulsed  before  support  could  be  sent 
them,  and  driven  back,  closely  followed  by  the  Rebels,  until 
checked  by  the  First  Michigan  and  a  squadron  of  the  Eighth 
New  York.  The  Second  brigade  having  come  up,  it  was 
quickly  thrown  into  position,  and,  after  a  fight  of  two  hours 
and  thirty  minutes,  routed  the  enemy  at  all  points  and  drove 
him  toward  the  river. 

When  within  a  short  distance  of  the  bridge.  General  Buford's 
command  came  up  and  took  the  advance.  We  lost  twenty- 
nine  killed,  thirty-six  wounded,  and  forty  missing.  We  found 
upon  the  field  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dead  Rebels,  and 
brought  away  upward  of  fifty  wounded.  A  large  number  of 
the  enemy's  wounded  were  left  upon  the  field  in  charge  of  their 
own  surgeons.  We  captured  two  guns,  three  battle-flags,  and 
upward  of  fifteen  hundred  prisoners. 

To  General  Custer  and  his  brigade.  Lieutenant  Pennington 
and  his  battery,  and  one  squadron  of  the  Eighth  New  York 
Cavalry,  of  General  Buford's  command,  all  praise  is  due. 

Yery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  KiLPATRiCK,  Brigadier- General, 

In  his  official  report  of  operations  from  the  twenty- 
eighth  of  June,  when  he  assumed  command  of  the 
Third  division,  Kilpatrick  says :  "  In  this  campaign 
my  command  has  captured  forty-five  hundred  prison- 
ers, nine  guns,  and  eleven  battle-flags."  Never  be- 
fore, in  the  history  of  warfare,  has  it  been  permitted 
to  any  man  commanding  a  division  to  include,  in  a 
report  of  about  forty-five  days'  operations,  such  mag- 
nificent results. 

As  the  last  foot  of  the  invaders  disappeared  from 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  295 

the  soil  where  they  had  never  been  successful,  our 
gallant  boys  built  their  bivouac  fires  and  rested  them- 
selves and  their  weary  animals  near  the  scene  of  their 
recent  victory. 

The  telegraph  Hues,  which  had  so  often  been  bur- 
dened with  news  of  disaster,  now  sang  with  joyful 
intelligence  from  all  departments  of  our  vast  armies. 
Gettysburg  was  soon  followed  by  Yicksburg,  then 
Port  Hudson,  the  names  being  emblazoned  upon 
many  a  glowing  transparency,  to  the  honor  of  the 
heroes  who  had  planned,  and  the  braves  who  had 
fought,  so  successfully  and  well.  The  news  was  wel- 
comed with  salutes  of  artillery  and  bonfires  in  most 
of  the  Northern  cities  and  villages,  while  the  whole 
mass  of  our  people  was  jubilant  and  rejoicing. 

On  the  fifteenth  the  President  issued  a  proclama- 
tion of  Thanksgiving,  in  which  he  recognized  the 
hand  of  God  in  our  victories,  and  called  upon  the 
people  to  "  render  the  homage  due  to  the  Divine 
Majesty  for  the  wonderful  things  He  has  done  in  the 
nation's  behalf,  and  to  invoke  the  influence  of  His 
Holy  Spirit  to  subdue  the  anger  which  has  produced, 
and  so  long  sustained,  a  needless  and  cruel  rebellion." 
In  the  midst  of  these  rejoicings  we  end  our  chapter. 


296 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


KILPATRICK'S  GUNBOAT  EXPEDITION. 


1863. — Escape  of  Lee  into  Virginia. — Reasons. — Cavalry  Advance  into  the 
Valley  ma  Harper's  Ferry,  and  Fight.— Riot  in  New  York  and  other 
Northern  Cities. — Again  Across  the  Potomac  on  *' Sacred  Soil." — 
Blackberries  and  Discipline. — Mails. — Battle  of  Manassas  Gap. — Mos- 
by  Again,  and  His  Bands.— Author's  Birthday. — Kilpatrick's  Gunboat 
Expedition  on  the  Rappahannock. — Cavalry  Captures  Navy. — Compli- 
mented by  Superiors.— General  Advance  of  the  Army. — Third  Caval- 
ry Battle  at  Brandy  Station. — Stuart's  Cavalry  Worsted  at  Culpepper 
Court  House. — Sharp  Artillery  Practice  at  Raccoon  Ford,  on  the  Rapi- 
dan. — Special  Duties  and  Special  Dangers. — Good  Living  Along  the 
Hazel  and  Robertson  Rivers. — Important  Reconnoissance  and  Raid. — 
Hard  Fighting  and  Narrow  Escape.— Needed  Rest  Received. — The 
Paymaster. — Rebel  Plan  of  Attack  Foiled  by  a  Citizen  Informer. — 
Suspicious  Activity  on  Our  Front. 


rpmS  sudden  and  masterly  movement  of  the  Rebels 


X  was  a  entting  surprise  to  General  Meade,  and  a 
source  of  mortification  and  chagrin  to  all.  Glori- 
ously successful  as  we  had  been,  it  was  evident  that 
hesitation  and  indecision  had  greatly  detracted  from 
our  laurels.  We  had  won  a  world-renowned  victory, 
but  we  had  failed  to  reap  all  the  legitimate  fruits 
which  our  situation  placed  within  our  reach. 

General  Lee  had  been  terribly  punished,  but  his 
escape  was  quite  marvellous.     One  writer  says: 
When  his  shattered  columns  commenced  their  re- 
treat from  Gettysburg,  few  of  his  officers  can  have 


Tliree  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  297 

imagined  tliat  they  would  ever  reach  Virginia  with 
their  artillery  and  most  of  their  trains."  And 
though  their  trains  were  severely  handled  and 
greatly  injured,  yet  the  old  Eebel  army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  with  nearly  all  its  artillery,  made  its  exit 
from  soil  too  sacred  to  freedom  for  a  Eebel  victory. 
Their  losses,  however,  had  been  immense,  and  they 
were  only  too  glad  to  escape  in  a  manner  very  unlike 
the  audacious  way  in  which  they  had  advanced  but 
a  few  weeks  previous  into  the  Northern  States. 

It  now  became  the  policy  of  our  leader  to  follow 
the  fugitives  as  closely  as  the  changed  circumstances 
of  affairs  would  permit,  and  to  give  the  Rebels  no 
rest,  while  he  endeavored  to  press  them  determin- 
edly, and  watched  them  by  means  of  scouts  and 
signal-stations  with  a  jealous  eye.  There  is,  how- 
ever, a  limit  to  the  endurance  which  men  and  horses 
are  capable  of,  and,  beyond  this,  the  overtaxed  pow- 
ers give  way,  and  exhausted  nature  claims  her  rights. 
Few  there  are,  except  those  who  have  had  experi- 
ence, who  know  how  much  privation  the  brave  sol- 
dier and  his  general  suffer  in  the  toils  of  the  field,  on 
the  rapid  march,  the  hasty  bivouac,  the  broken  slum- 
bers, the  wakeful  watchings,  and  the  scanty  fare." 
It  must  be  remembered,  also,  that  our  army  had 
made  many  forced  marches,  describing  in  its  route 
a  line  somewhat  resembling  the  circumference  of  a 
great  circle,  as  a  careful  survey  of  the  map  of  move- 
ments will  show  ;  while  the  route  of  the  enemy,  who 
had  several  days  the  start  of  us,  was  more  like  the 
diameter  of  that  circle.  Our  cavalry  had  not  only 
fought  and  defeated  the  Eebel  cavalry  on  many  san- 


298       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


guinary  fields,  but  it  had  met  the  serried  lines  of 
their  infantry  also,  as  at  Gettysburg,  where  the  brave 
Farns worth  fell.  Owing  to  this  fatigue  of  our  forces, 
our  pursuit  of  the  enemy  w^as  not  as  vigorous,  it 
would  seem  in  a  cursory  glance,  as  it  should  have 
been. 

As  soon  as  it  w^as  ascertained  that  the  Rebel  army 
was  in  full  retreat,  a  force  of  our  cavalry  was  sent 
across  the  Po'tomac  at  Harper's  Ferry,  bivouacking, 
the  night  of  the  fourteenth  of  July,  on  Bolivar 
Heights.  Early  the  next  morning  we  advanced  on 
the  Winchester  Turnpike  as  far  as  Halltown,  where 
we  deflected  to  the  right  on  the  road  to  Shepherds- 
town.  We  had  not  proceeded  far  before  we  encoun- 
tered, the  enemy's  cavalry  under  Fitzhugh  Lee,  with 
which  we  were  soon  involved  in  a  spirited  contest. 
At  first  our  troopers  were  worsted  and  driven  back 
a  short  distance.  But,  having  found  a  good  position, 
we  rallied,  and  repulsed  several  desperate  charges,  in- 
flicting heavy  losses,  until  the  Eebels  were  glad  to 
give  up  the  game,  and  consequently  retired.  Colo- 
nel Drake  (First  Virginia)  and  Colonel  Gregg  were 
among  the  Rebel  slain,  while  on  our  side  the  highest 
officer  killed  was  Captain  Fisher,  of  the  Sixteenth 
Pennsylvania.  The  fighting  was  done  principally  on 
foot. 

While  these  things  were  transpiring,  Kilpatrick 
moved  his  division  from  Falling  Waters  to  Boonsboro' 
by  way  of  Williamsport  and  Hagerstown.  Sad  evi- 
dences of  the  recent  battles  and  marches,  in  dead 
animals  and  general  debris^  were  seen  all  along  the 
way.    Having  reached  our  bivouac  near  Boonsboro', 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  299 

our  men  and  horses  came  to  tlieir  rations  and  rest 
with  a  wondeiful  relish. 

During  tlie  day  we  have  been  reading  of  the 
murderous  riots  made  in  Northern  cities,  especially 
in  Xew  York,  where  men  in  mobs  have  ostensibly 
leagued  against  the  authority  of  the  Government. 
The  bloody  accounts  are  stirring  the  rank  and  file  of 
our  army  terribly.  A  feeling  of  intense  indignation 
exists  against  traitorous  demagogues,  who  are  un- 
doubtedly at  the  bottom  of  all  this  anarchy.  De- 
tachments from  many  of  the  old  regiments  are  now 
being  sent  North  to  look  after  Northern  traitors. 
This  depletion  of  our  ranks  we  cannot  well  afford, 
for  every  available  man  is  needed  in  the  field.  Many 
of  our  regiments  are  much  reduced.  The  Harris 
Light  now  musters  but  one  hundred  men  fit  for  duty, 
scarcely  one  tenth  the  number  with  which  we  entered 
upon  the  campaign.  Our  horses  are  also  much  used 
up.  Hundreds  of  them  have  been  killed  and  wound- 
ed in  battle,  and  not  a  few  have  played  out,"  so 
that  they  are  utterly  unserviceable.  The  author  of 
these  records  has  worn  out  completely  two  horses 
since  he  had  a  second  horse  shot  imder  him  in  the 
cavalry  fight  near  Upperville. 

July  16. — "  Boots  and  Saddles  "  sounded  at  four 
o'clock,  and  before  daylight  we  were  on  our  way 
toward  Harper's  Ferry.  We  revisited  Rhorersville, 
crossed  Crampton's  Gap,  and  at  last  reached  the  Po- 
tomac at  Berlin,  where  the  division  was  separated, 
a  portion  of  it  moving  to  Harper's  Ferry,  where  they 
bivouacked  at  night  in  the  yard  of  the  destroyed 
United  States  arsenal.    Pontoons  at  Harper's  Ferry 


300       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

and  Berlin,  were  used  for  crossing  the  army  into  Yir- 
ginia.  The  crossing  was  being  effected  as  rapidly  as 
possible,  yet  for  bo  vast  an  army  it  is  always  slow  and 
tedious. 

Our  troops  are  daily  crossing  and  advancing,  but 
all  is  otherwise  quiet.  We  are  now  receiving  an  is- 
sue of  clothing,  which  we  greatly  need.  Our  ranks 
are  putting  on  a  new-revived  appearance.  The  first 
sergeants  of  the  Harris  Light  have  received  orders  to 
finish  their  pay-rolls.  General  Lee  is  reported  to  be 
falling  back  to  the  Rappahannock. 

Sunday^  July  19. — Our  cavalry  left  Harper's 
Ferry  at  two  o'clock  r.  m.,  crossed  the  river  on  pon- 
toons at  Sandy  Hook,  and  advanced  into  Virginia. 
Monthly  returns  for  June  were  made  before  our 
march  commenced.  The  weather  is  very  warm  and 
sultry.  On  the  twentieth  we  resumed  our  march  at 
ten  A.  M.,  and  advanced  to  Leesburgh,  where  we  fed 
our  horses  and  rested.  In  the  decline  of  the  day  we 
marched  to  Goose  Creek,  on  whose  grassy  banks  we 
bivouacked  for  the  night. 

The  whole  cavalry  force  is  moving  towards  the 
Kappahannock.  On  the  twenty-first  we  advanced 
'^^(Z  Gum  Spring  and  Centreville  to  Manassas  Junc- 
tion. The  boys  have  had  some  gay  times  to-day  after 
blackberries,  which  we  found  in  great  abundance  all 
along  our  line  of  march.  General  Gregg  was  com- 
pelled to  dismount  several  men  in  the  forenoon,  and 
ordered  them  to  march  on  foot,  for  the  off'ence  of 
leaving  the  ranks  for  berries,  without  permission.  A 
command  would  soon,  be  totally  demoralized,  if  such 
tendencies  to  unsoldierly  conduct  were  not  checked. 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  301 

And  though  at  times  discipline  seems  severe,  yet, 
especially  with  us,  it  is  absolutely  necessary. 

July  22. — To-day  we  marched  to  the  vicinity  of 
Gainesville.  We  fell  in  with  Scott's  Nine  Hundred 
as  we  were  marching  across  the  old  field  of  Bull  Eun, 
among  whom  we  found  several  old  acquaintances. 
We  spent  a  few  very  interesting  moments  together. 

July  23. — Our  command  was  cheered  to-day  by 
the  arrival  of  a  large  mail,  which  brought  a  message 
to  nearly  every  man.  During  active  campaigning, 
as  in  the  invasion  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  it 
is  difficult  to  keep  up  postal  connections  with  the 
civil  world,  and,  with  the  very  best  efforts  which  can 
be  made,  our  mails  are  greatly  delayed,  sometimes 
even  for  weeks  together.  But  when  they  do  come, 
they  are  hailed  with  a  delight  which  is  almost  frantic. 
The  post-boys  are  cheered  as  far  as  they  can  be  seen, 
as  they  wend  their  way  from  camp  to  camp,  with 
their  horses  loaded  down  with  the  enormously  swollen 
mail-bags.  Several  bushels  of  letters  are  sometimes 
brought  by  one  carrier,  as  was  the  case  to-day. 

FIGHTING  AT  MANASSAS  GAP. 

During  the  day  we  have  heard  very  heavy  can- 
nonading in  the  direction  of  White  Plains.  It  ap 
pears  that  General  Meade,  misled  by  the  information 
brought  by  some  of  his  scouts,  expected  to  engage 
the  Rebel  army  in  Manassas  Gap,  or  west  of  that, 
where  General  Buford  found  the  enemy  in  force. 
Our  army  was  accordingly  concentrated  upon  this 
point.  The  Third  Corps,  under  General  French, 
which  occupied  Ashby's  Gap,  was  sent  forward  rap- 


802       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


idly  to  Buford's  support,  where  its  First  Division, 
commanded  by  General  Hobart  Ward,  pushed 
through  the  Gap,  driving  the  enemy  before  it,  but 
with  mutual  loss.  Here  the  New  York  Excelsior 
Brigade,  General  F.  B.  Spinola  commanding,  greatly 
distinguished  itself,  by  making  three  heroic  charges 
up  the  frowning  steeps,  where  the  Eebels  were 
strongly  posted.  Their  general  was  twice  wounded. 
But  the  effort  was  a  success. 

On  the  morning  of  the  twenty -fourth  our  soldiers 
pushed  forward  as  far  as  Front  Eoyal,  but  found  no 
enemy.  They  then  learned  that  they  had  been  fight- 
ing only  a  portion  of  Lee's  rearguard,  which  in  the 
night  had  slipped  away  in  the  trail  of  their  main 
army  southward.  By  this  move  General  Meade's 
army  lost  about  two  days'  march ;  and  when  again 
we  reached  the  bank  of  the  Rappahannock,  the  old 
foe  was  facing  us  in  threatening  attitude  from  the 
opposite  shore. 

This  afternoon  the  Harris  Light  was  sent  on  a 
scout  to  Thoroughfare  Gap.  From  the  heights  be- 
yond the  Gap  we  saw  the  wagon-train  of  the  Elev- 
enth Corps  moving  toward  Warrenton.  This  was  a 
portion  of  the  force  which  had  expected  a  fight  at 
Manassas  Gap. 

July  25. — Our  cavalry  force  reached  the  vicinity 
of  Warrenton  Junction,  when  we  went  into  bivouac. 
The  second  squadron  of  our  regiment,  under  Captain 
O.  J.  Downing,  moved  to  Thoroughfare  Gap  and  re- 
turned to  Gainesville,  where  it  joined  the  regiment, 
and  then  marched  with  us  to  the  Junction  ma  Bris- 
toe  and  Catlett's.    Before  night  we  were  sent  out  on 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  303 


picket  in  the  vicinity  of  Catlett's  Station,  where  we 
relieved  the  First  Virginia  Cavalry.  We  continued 
on  picket  through  the  twenty-sixth,  but  all  was  quiet 
along  the  lines. 

An  inspection  of  horses  was  made  this  morning, 
when  a  large  number  were  condemned  as  utterly  un- 
sc3rviceable  ;  and  they  were  started  off  toward  Wash- 
ington, to  be  exchanged  for  better  ones. 

July  27. — I  have  the  responsibility  and  honor  of 
being  in  command  of  a  company.  This  afternoon  a 
detachment  of  our  forces  was  sent  out  on  a  sort  of 
bushwhacking  expedition.  A  portion  of  Company 
F  was  captured  by  the  Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry, 
while  patrolling  the  road  near  Bristersburg. 

We  are  not  doing  much  these  days,  except  picket- 
ing, scouting,  recruiting,  resting.  On  the  twenty- 
ninth  our  entire  brigade  was  marched  to  within  three 
miles  of  Warrenton,  and  then  countermarched  to  the 
old  camp  ;  and  on  the  last  day  of  the  month  we  ad- 
vanced to  Warrenton  in  heavy  force,  where  General 
Meade  has  had  his  headquarters  for  several  days. 

August  1. — To-day  General  Meade  moved  his 
headquarters  to  Eappahannock  Station.  The  heat 
is  excessive.  Two  men  of  the  Harris  Light  were 
sun  struck  during  the  day.  We  left  Warrenton  at 
seven  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  moved  very  slowly.  At 
night  we  bivouacked  not  far  from  New  Baltimore. 
On  the  following  day  we  were  sent  out  on  picket, 
which  here  is  neither  difficult  nor  dangerous. 

Our  Colonel,  Otto  Harhaus,  is  ill,  and  is  awaiting 
his  documents  for  a  leave  of  absence  from  the  regi- 
ment. 


304       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 


August  3. — The  colonel  received  his  papers  to- 
day, and  started  forthwith  for  ITew  York.  Captain 
L.  H.  Southard,  the  senior  officer,  is  in  comnjand. 
The  regiment  was  sent  to  Thoroughfare  Gap,  where 
w^e  encamped  in  an  apple-orchard. 

Our  infantry  lines  now  extend  down  the  Rappa- 
hannock as  far  as  Fredericksburg,  which  we  hold. 
The  cavalry  is  picketing  and  patrolling  all  this  terri- 
tory. However,  as  there  are  so  many  regiments  to 
engage  in  this  work,  the  duty  is  comparatively  light. 
"  Many  hands  make  light  wwk." 

Sunday^  August  9. — We  still  continue  near  Thor- 
oughfare Gap.  Occasionally,  as  our  turn  comes,  we 
picket  along  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad.  Major  E. 
F.  Cooke,  who  has  been  absent  for  some  time,  re- 
turned to  us  to-day  and  took  command.  My  old 
company,  E,  shows  the  following  report :  Present, 
thirty-two  ;  fit  for  duty,  twenty-two. 

On  Monday  the  regiment  left  camp  at  nine  a. 
M.,  and,  separating  into  several  detachments,  moved 
upon  White  Plains  and  Middleburg  from  different 
directions.  These  places  have  been  occupied  for 
some  time  past  by  Mosby's  guerilla  bands.  We  did 
not  succeed,  however,  in  bringing  them  into  an  en- 
gagement, as  they  were  sharply  on  the  lookout,  and 
studiously  kept  beyond  the  reach  of  our  carbines. 
Occasionally  our  pickets  are  attacked  by  them,  and 
some  lively  times  are  experienced. 

August  13. — I  was  detailed  by  the  adjutant  this 
morning  to  act  as  sergeant-major  in  place  of  Ser- 
geant Temple,  who  is  assigned  to  the  command  of  a 
company.    Very  few  commissioned  offi^cers  are  with 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  305 

the  regiment  at  present.  This  leaves  the  command 
of  several  companies  to  enlisted  men.  Some  of  our 
officers  are  out  on  detached  service,  while  not  a  few, 
during  the  lull  of  army  operations,  have  asked  and 
received  leaves  of  absence,  and  are  visiting  their 
friends  in  the  North.  It  might  indeed  be  said  that 
we  are  all  rusticating ;  and,  were  it  not  for  the  gue- 
rilla bands  that  infest  the  country,  attacking  our  out- 
posts, and  frequently  disturbing  our  lines  of  com- 
munication with  our  bases  of  supply  as  well  as  the 
outer  world,  our  condition  would  be  one  of  pleasing 
rest. 

On  the  fourteenth  a  little  excitement  was  aflforded 
us,  to  relieve  us  from  the  monotonous  life  which  we 
are  spending.  A  detachment  of  the  regiment,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Griggs,  made  a  bold  dash  upon 
an  ill-starred  portion  of  Mosby's  band,  near  Aldie, 
where  we  captured  three  men  and  twenty  horses  and 
equipments,  most  of  which  had  formerly  belonged  to 
our  service,  having  been  taken  by  these  wily  gue- 
rillas. Nearly  every  hoi^se  had  the  familiar  "  XJ.  S." 
upon  his  shoulder ;  and  the  saddles,  with  very  few 
exceptions,  were  of  Northern  manufacture. 

August  15. — ^The  Harris  Light  moved  from  Thor- 
oughfare Gap  at  ten  a.  m.  We  reached  Hartwood 
Church  at  eight  in  the  evening,  via  New  Baltimore 
and  Greenwich.  A  considerable  halt  was  made  at 
Warrenton  Junction,  where  we  drew  rations  and 
forage. 

Henry  E.  Davies,  Jr.,  just  promoted  to  the  colo- 
nelcy of  the  regiment,  joined  us  at  the  Junction,  and 
took  command.    He  is  immensely  popular  with  the 
13 


306       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CavaJ/ry, 

men,  especially  with  those  who  admire  bravery  and 
heroism,  and  who  covet  to  be  thoroughly  drilled  and 
disciplined. 

August  17. — -We  continue  at  Ilartwood  Church, 
with  our  camp  located  very  near  General  Kilpatrick's 
lieadquarters.  During  the  day  Oolondl  Davies  ap- 
pointed me  second  lieutenant,  and  assigned  me  to  the 
command  of  Company  M,  as  both  the  captain  and 
first  lieutenant  of  the  company  are  absent  on  de- 
tached service. 

Late  in  the  evening  I  received  orders  to  report, 
with  my  company,  at  an  early  hour  next  day,  to 
Captain  Meade,  division  quartermaster.  At  five 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  eighteenth  we  made 
our  bow  to  the  captain,  who  despatched  us  as  an  es- 
cort or  guard  to  a  train  from  Hartwood  to  Warrenton 
Junction. 

During  the  march  we  made  an  exciting  dash 
upon  a  band  of  guerillas,  who  were  watching  for  us, 
expecting  to  make  some  captures.  But  they  were 
disappointed,  for  we  were  not  only  prepared  to  resist 
them,  but  would  have  captured  them  but  for  the  su- 
perior fleetness  of  their  horses.  After  accomplishing 
the  work  we  were  sent  out  to  dO;  and  resting  one 
night,  we  returned  to  the  regiment. 

August  22. — This  is  my  natal  day.  I  find  myself 
twenty-two  years  of  age.  I  am  not  surrounded  on 
this  anniversary,  as  in  former  years,  by  the  friends 
of  my  childhood.  But  memories  of  the  past  come 
trooping  up  in  such  vivid  lines,  as  to  make  the  day 
one  of  deep  interest. 

August  28. — My  company,  which  forms  a  part  of 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  307 

Captain  Mitchell's  battalion,  is  doing  picket-duty  at 
present  with  the  battalion  on  the  Rappahannock  be- 
tween Banks  and  United  States  Fords.  My  com- 
pany is  at  the  captain's  headquarters,  and  acts  as 
grand  guard. 

Sunday^  August  30. — To-day  I  accompanied  th© 
division  and  brigade  officers  of  the  day  in  their  visit 
to  and  inspection  of  the  pickets  along  the  Rappahan- 
nock. Our  ride  was  very  pleasant.  Captain  Barker, 
of  the  Fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  dined  with  Captain 
Mitchell  and  myself.  He  is  a  lively  companion ;  was 
in  the  hands  of  Mosby  last  Spring ;  and  has  a  fund 
of  amusing  and  interesting  incidents  of  army-life  with 
which  to  enliven  his  conversation. 

On  the  last  day  of  August,  Captain  Mitchell  was 
ordered  to  report  to  the  regiment  at  Hartwood  Church, 
with  his  reserves.  The  pickets  are  to  remain  on  the 
river  until  attacked  by  the  enemy  or  recalled  by 
orders  from  division  headquarters. 

CAVALRY  GUNBOAT  EXPEDITION. 

Septemher  4. — To  break  the  monotony  of  picket- 
ing and  to  subserve  the  cause  of  freedom,  a  most 
novel  scheme  was  lately  undertaken,  known  as  Kil- 
patrick's  Gunboat  Expedition.  The  object  was  to 
destroy  a  portion  of  the  Rebel  navy  anchored  in  the 
Rappahannock,  near  Port  Conway,  opposite  Port 
Royal.  This  peculiar  kind  of  warfare,  which  re- 
quired genius  and  dash,  was  waged  by  the  troopers 
with  complete  success,  and  they  returned  to  their 
bivouac  fires  to  enliven  the  weary  hours  with  stories 
of  their  long  march  down  the  river,  and  their  de- 


308       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  GmaVry. 

structive  charge  upon  the  gunboats  of  the  enemy. 
The  expedition  set  out  about  two  o'clock  on  the  morn- 
ing of  September  first. 

Doctor  Lucius  P.  Woods,  Surgeon-in-Chief  of  the 
First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  gives  the  following 
interesting  description  of  the  above  raid  in  a  letter 
to  Mrs.  Woods : 

"  I  returned  yesterday  after  a  three  days'  expedi- 
tion after  gunboats  !  We  all  laughed  at  the  order 
sending  cavalry  after  such  craft,  but  I  am  happy  to  say 
that  the  object  of  the  expedition  was  accomplished. 
We  left  camp  at  two  o'clock  a.  m.,  marched  all  day  and 
all  the  following  night,  till  three  o'clock  next  morning, 
when  we  made  a  furious  charge  upon  Rebel  infantry. 
They  ran  so  fast  as  to  disarrange  the  general's  plan  of 
attack.  The  morning  was  so  dark  that  we  could  not 
see  one  rod  in  advance. 

"  We  captured  twelve  or  fifteen  prisoners,  and  Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick  gave  orders  in  their  hearing  to  have 
the  whole  command  fall  back,  stating  that  the  gun- 
boats would  be  alarmed  and  the  expedition  be  a  failure. 
The  general  took  particular  pains  to  allow  half  the 
prisoners  to  escape  and  to  get  across  the  Rappahan- 
nock. After  falling  back  two  miles,  we  were  counter- 
marched toward  the  river,  near  which  we  were  formed 
in  line  of  battle.  We  sat  there  on  our  horses  waiting 
for  daylight.  Then  the  flying  artillery  of  ten  guns, 
supported  by  the  old  Fifth  New  York  and  First 
Michigan,  dashed  at  a  full  run  down  to  the  river-bank, 
wheeled  into  position,  and  gave  the  Rebels  a  small  car- 
go of  hissing  cast-iron,  which  waked  them  up  more 
efiectually  than  their  ordinary  morning-call.  They 


Three  Yea/rs  in  the  Federal  Cmalry.  30& 

soon  came  to  their  senses,  and  for  half  an  hour  sent 
over  to  us  what  I  should  think  to  be,  by  the  noise 
they  made,  tea-kettles,  cooking-stoves,  large  cast-iron 
hats,  etc.  But  our  smaller  and  more  active  guns  soon 
silenced  theirs,  and  drove  the  gunners  away,  when  we 
turned  our  attention  to  the  boring  of  holes  in  their 
boats  with  conical  pieces  of  iron,  vulgarly  called  solid 
shot.  I  am  sure  I  can  recommend  them  as  first-class 
augers,  for  thej^  sank  the  boats  in  time  for  all  hands 
to  sit  down  to  breakfast  at  half-past  nine  o'clock.  The 
repast  consisted  of  muddy  water,  rusty  salt-pork,  and 
half  a  hard  cracker,  termed  by  us  "  an-iron  clad  break- 
fast." We  were  absent  from  camp  three  days,  and 
had  only  nine  hours'  sleep." 

Further  interesting  particulars  were  given  in  a 
New  York  daily,  as  follows  : 

The  expedition  under  Greneral  Kilpatrick,  sent 
out  a  few  days  since  to  recapture,  in  conjunction  with 
the  navy,  the  gunboats  Satellite  and  Reliance,  which 
recently  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Rebels,  was,  so  far 
as  the  cavalry  is  concerned,  successful. 

On  Tuesday  evening  General  Kilpatrick  arrived 
on  this  side  the  river,  at  Port  Conway,  and  brilliantly 
dashed  upon  the  enemy's  pickets  under  Colonel  Low. 
The  Rebels  did  not  even  make  a  show  of  resistance, 
but  rushed  into  a  number  of  flat-boats  in  the  wildest 
confusion,  and  landed  safely  on  the  opposite  bank. 
If  they  had  made  a  show  of  fight,  they  would  have 
most  likely  been  captured. 

After  the  escape  of  the  enemy.  General  Kil- 
patrick waited  two  hours  for  the  cooperation  of  the 
navy,  which  is  understood  to  have  been  agreed  upon. 


310       Three  Years  m  the  Federal  Camalry. 

The  vessels  did  not  arrive,  and  General  Kilpatrick 
ordered  a  battery  to  open  fire  upon  the  gunboats  Re- 
liance and  Satellite.  This  was  done  at  the  distance 
of  six  hundred  and  fifty  yards.  The  enemy  imme- 
diately abandoned  the  gunboats — ^very  fortunately 
for  themselves,  for  only  a  few  moments  elapsed  be- 
fore the  Satellite  was  in  a  sinking  condition,  and  the 
Reliance  rendered  useless.  Both  boats  were  com- 
pletely riddled  by  shot  and  shell.  The  force  under 
Kilpatrick  consisted  of  cavalry  and  two  batteries  of 
artillery.  The  Satellite  is  sunk,  and  the  Reliance  so 
completely  disabled  as  to  be  beyond  hope  of  being 
repaired  by  the  Rebels." 

On  our  return  from  Port  Conway  we  passed 
through  Falmouth,  where  we  halted  a  short  time.  It 
was  pleasant  to  survey  the  scenes  of  former  labors 
and  confiicts.  Much  alarm  appears  to  have  been 
created  among  the  Rebels  by  our  gunboat  disturb- 
ance. A  large  force  of  Rebel  cavalry  can  be  dis- 
tinctly seen  approaching  Fredericksburg  on  the  Tele- 
graph Road,  and  more  or  less  commotion  prevails 
across  the  river.  From  Falmouth  we  marched  di- 
rectly to  Hartwood  Church.  On  arriving  here,  Cap- 
tain Mitchell's  battalion  was  ordered  back  to  its  old 
position  on  picket,  to  relieve  the  infantry  which  took 
our  places  before  the  expedition  to  Port  Conway. 

September  5. — "We  continue  on  picket  near  United 
States  Ford.  This  morning  the  regiment  was  mus- 
tered in  for  pay  by  Major  Mclrvin,  who  is  tempora- 
rily in  command.  Colonel  Davies  having  been  placed 
in  command  of  a  brigade. 

At  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  I  received  my  commission  of 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  311 

second  lieutenant.  It  was  brought  from  the  head- 
quarters of  the  regiment  by  the  bugler  of  Company 
H.  It  dates  back  to  the  cavalry  fight  at  Aldie,  which 
occurred  on  the  seventeenth  of  June. 

On  this  line  of  pickets  we  have  continued  un- 
interruptedly for  a  week.  On  the  seventh,  Colonel 
Davies,  with  his  assistant  adjutant-general,  visited  our 
post.  It  was  very  gratifying  to  Captain  Mitchell 
and  myself  to  receive  the  colonel's  compliments  for 
promptness  and  vigilance  in  our  work,  especially  as 
lie  has  the  reputation  of  never  bestowing  praise  where 
it  is  not  deserved. 

I  rode  down  to  Lieutenant  Temple's  j)icket-reserve, 
at  Richard's  Ferry,  on  the  eighth.  I  found  the  lieu- 
tenant in  excellent  humor,  but  decidedly  opposed 
to  picketing  as  a  permanent  occupation.  We  were, 
however,  consoled  with  the  hope  of  relief  ere  long. 

In  the  afternoon  the  brigade  officer  of  the  day 
called  at  the  bivouac  of  the  grand  guard,"  and 
expressed  himself  as  being  highly  pleased  with  the 
disposition  and  management  of  the  pickets.  The 
enemy's  pickets  confront  ours  at  all  the  fords  of  the 
river,  and  appear  in  heavy  force. 

For  some  time  past  we  have  understood  that  Gen- 
eral Lee's  headquarters  are  at  Orange  Court  House, 
while  his  infantry  occupies  the  south  banks  and  bluffs 
of  the  Kapidan.  Stuart  occupies  Culpepper  Court 
House,  and  pickets  and  patrols  the  territory  between 
the  Rapidan  and  the  Rappahannock,  a  region  shaped 
much  like  an  old-fashioned  harrow. 

September  13. — An  advance  of  the  Union  army 
was  ordered  yesterday  by  its  Chief,  in  which  the 


312       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Caval/ry. 

cavalry  was  to  take  a  prominent  part.  Orders  were 
issued  accordingly  last  evening,  and  every  needed 
preparation  made  for  our  work.  At  an  early  hour 
this  morning  the  entire  cavalry  corps  was  on  the 
mareh.  In  order  that  the  enemy  might  not  be  pre- 
maturely warned  of  our  design,  the  several  com- 
mands were  ordered  to  make  as  little  noise  as  possi- 
ble. Consequently  the  bugle-calls  were  dispensed 
with,  and  commanders  made  use  of  their  voices,  and 
in  some '  instances  the  orders  were  conveyed  from 
rank  to  rank  in  a  whisper.  The  three  great  divi- 
sions of  the  corps  were  to  cross  the  river  as  follows  : 
Gregg's,  at  Sulphur  Springs ;  Buford's,  at  Eappa- 
hannock  Bridge  ;  and  Kilpatrick's,  at  Kelly's  Ford. 

BRANDY  STATION  NO.  3. 

At  six  o'clock  the  Harris  Light  plunged  into  the 
river  at  Kelly's  Ford,  leading  the  advance.  A  strong 
detachment  of  Stuart's  cavalry,  consisting  of  pickets 
and  reserves,  opposed  our  crossing  with  dogged  per- 
tinacity, but  finally,  yielding  to  our  superior  num- 
bers and  to  the  deadly  accuracy  of  our  carbines,  gave 
way.  He  then  advanced  in  the  direction  of  Brandy 
Station.  The  farther  we  advanced  the  stronger  grew 
the  ever-accumulating  force  of  the  enemy,  who  dis- 
puted every- uich  of  ground  with  great  stubbornness. 
On  arriving  near  the  Station  we  found  the  enemy  in 
strong  force,  with  artillery  posted  on  the  surrounding 
hills.  We  saw  clearly  that  a  third  cavalry  fight  was 
destined  to  be  fought  on  this  historic  field,  and  we 
began  to  make  preparations  for  the  onset.  It  was 
my  fortune  to  lead  the  advance  company  in  the  first 


Tliree  Years  in  the  Federal  Ca/calry.  313 

charge.  Three  men  and  four  horses  were  killed  and 
wounded  in  this  company  by  the  first  discharge  of 
the  enemy's  artillery,  whose  fire  was  terribly  accu- 
rate. 

But  we  had  not  been  fighting  long  before  the 
other  divisions  joined  us.  At  their  approach  great 
enthusiasm  among  our  boys  prevailed.  Before  our 
combined  force  the  enemy  was  swept  from  those 
plains  like  chaff  before  the  whirlwind.  They  fled  in 
the  direction  of  Culpepper,  a  naturally  strong  and 
now  fortified  position,  where  we  knew  we  must  soon 
encounter  the  Rebel  chivalry  en  masse  upon  their 
chosen  field. 

FIGHT  AT  CULPEPPER  COURT  HOUSE. 

From  Brandy  Station  General  Pleasonton  di- 
rected Kilpatrick  to  make  a  detour  via  Stevensburg, 
in  order  to  operate  as  a  fianking  column  upon  the 
enemy  at  the  proper  time.  With  the  First  and  Sec- 
ond divisions  Pleasonton  pushed  straight  on  to  Cul- 
pepper, driving  the  enemy  before  him  without  much 
resistance  until  within  about  a  mile  of  the  town. 
Here  our  advance  was  effectually  checked.  A  fear- 
ful duel  now  took  place  with  varying  fortunes.  For 
some  time  the  enemy  baffled  all  our  efforts  to  dislodge 
him  from  his  strong  position ^  and  our  men  began  to 
look  wishfully  for  the  flankers,  when  lo  !  Kilpatrick's 
flags  were  seen  advancing  from  the  direction  of  Ste- 
vensburg, and  his  artillery  was  soon  thundering  in 
the  enemy's  flank  and  rear.  Under  this  unexpected 
and  W3!l-directed  fire,  that  portion  of  the  enemy 

which  had  kept  our  main  column  at  bay  fell  back  in 
13*      ^  ' 


314       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CoA^aVry. 

confusion  into  the  town  ;  and,  before  they  had  time 
to  re-form  their  broken  L'nes,  the  Harris  Light,  Fifth 
New  York,  First  Vermont,  and  First  Michigan,  led 
by  General  Ouster,  dashed  upon  the  "  Johnnies  "  in 
the  streets,  throwing  the  boast  of  the  chivalry  into 
a  perfect  rout.  Many  prisoners  were  captured,  more 
or  less  material  of  war,  and  three  Blakely  guns.  The 
Rebels  retreated  hastily  in  the  direction  of  Pony 
Mountain  and  Rapidan  Bridge,  whither  they  were 
closely  pursued  by  our  victorious  squadrons.  Tlie 
day  following  this  brilliant  advance  Pleasonton  oc- 
cupied all  the  fords  of  the  Raptdan,  extending  his 
pickets  on  our  right  as  far  forward  as  the  Robertson 
and  Hazel  Rivers. 

The  way  having  been  thus  prepared  by  his  heroic 
avant'Gouriers^  General  Meade  advanced  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  across  the  Rappahannock,  and  took 
his  temporary  residence  in  Culpepper. 

September  15. — Kilpatrick's  division  advanced 
from  Culpepper  to  Raccoon  Ford  on  the  Rapidan. 
Colonel  Davies'  brigade  supported  a  battery  of  artil- 
lery a  short  distance  from  the  ford  from  one  till  four 
p.  M.  The  shelling  from  the  enemy's  batteries  was 
terrific.  Their  position  was  admirable  on  the  high 
bluff  south  of  the  ford,  and  the  range  was  just  right 
for  execution.  Their  artillery  was  of  a  heavy  cali- 
bre, and  supported  by  infantry.  They  were  finely 
screened  by  earthworks,  while  our  forces  were  almost 
entirely  exposed,  and  protected  only  here  and  there 
by  a  little  knoll.  In  the  unequal  duel  which  took 
place,  two  of  our  guns  were  dismounted  and  dis- 
abled, while  several  artillerymen  and  horses  were 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  315 

killed.  It  was  not  at  all  practicable  for  us  to  at- 
tempt a  crossing. 

Before  night  we  retired  from  the  ford,  and  the 
divisions  took  up  their  headquarters,  Gregg's,  at  Rap- 
pahannock Bridge ;  Buford's,  at  Stevensburg ;  and 
Kilpatrick's,  on  the  extreme  right,  at  James  City. 

Septernber  16. — To-day  we  are  picketing  the  fords 
of  the  Robertson  River,  a  branch  of  the  Rapidan. 
At  five  o'clock  p.  m.  the  Fifth  New  York  pickets  were 
attacked  and  driven  to  within  a  few  rods  of  their  re- 
serve ;  but  being  reenforced  by  ourselves,  who  were 
ordered  to  relieve  them,  the  enemy  was  compelled  to 
retire  hastily,  and  we  reoccupied  the  line  which  was 
taken  up  by  the  Fifth  in  the  morning. 

At  ten  o'clock  in  the  night  I  received  orders  to 
take  four  men  and  communicate  with  Major  Mclrvin 
at  Newman's  Ford,  two  miles  above  our  post  on  the 
Robertson.  This  was  by  no  means  an  easy  task,  as 
the  wilderness  country  was  almost  wholly  unknown 
to  us,  and  the  Rebel  pickets  in  this  quarter  had  not 
been  sounded.  Through  the  darkness,  however,  I 
advanced  with  my  men  as  cautiously  as  possible,  and 
yet  at  several  points  along  our  line  of  march  we 
drew  the  fire  of  the  Rebel  pickets.  At  length  we 
espied  a  force  of  cavalry  approaching  us,  which 
proved  to  be  a  detachment  under  Major  Mclrvin  on 
their  way  to  the  ford.  We  challenged  one  another 
simultaneously,  each  supposing  the  other  to  be  an 
enemy.  The  major  was  on  the  point  of  ordering  his 
command  to  fire  upon  me,  when  I  recognized  his 
voice  and  quickly  gave  him  my  name.  The  discov- 
ery was  timely,  and  mutually  enjoyable. 


316       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  GoA^alry. 

Sejpteraber  17. — ^The  enemy  advanced  his  picket 
lines  this  morning  across  the  river,  pushed  ours  back 
with  considerable  precipitancy,  when  a  general  skir- 
mish occurred  along  the  lines  for  a  distance  of  about 
two  miles.  Captain  Hasty  was  chief  in  command 
of  our  skirmishers.  I  assisted  him,  riding  my  sorrel 
pony,  the  only  horse  on  the  skirmish  line,  as  all  the 
men  fought  dismounted.  At  nine  o'clock  Colonel 
Davies  arrived  with  his  brigade  and  took  command. 
The  Eebels  were  not  able  to  withstand  our  accumu- 
lated power,  and  raj^idly  retreated  across  the  river, 
enabling  us  to  reestablish  our  lines  where  they  were 
before  the  onset. 

Picket-firing  is  very  common.  Give  and  take  " 
is  the  game  we  play,  and  sometimes  the  blows  are  as 
severe  as  they  are  unexpected.  The  cavalry  is  almost 
constantly  on  duty,  scouting,  patrolling,  and  very 
often  fighting.    Thus  we  are  kept  ever  in  motion. 

The  only  relief  for  our  excessive  labors  is  our 
good  living.  Seldom  are  soldiers  permitted  to  live 
in  a  country  of  which  it  may  be  said  as  emphatically 
as  of  this,  that  it  flows  with  milk  and  honey."  The 
numerous  flocks  of  sheep  and  herds  of  cattle  in  the 
neighborhood  are  made  to  contribute  the  basis  of  our 
rations,  while  the  poultry-yards,  larders,  and  orchards 
are  made  to  yield  the  delicacies  of  the  season.  The 
country  abounds  with  sorghum,  apple-butter,  milk, 
honey,  sweet  potatoes,  peaches,  apples,  etc. ;  so  that 
kings  are  not  much  better  fed  than  are  the  cavaliers 
of  this  command. 

Septemher  19. — The  weather  is  becoming  cold  and 
w^et.    Yesterday  this  brigade  retired  from  the  Bob- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry,  317 

ertson  to  the  vicinity  of  Stevensburg,  where  we  biv- 
ouacked in  the  pine  woods. 

Henry  E.  Davies,  Jr.,  formerly  Colonel  of  the 
Harris  Light,  and  for  some  time  past  in  command  of 
the  First  brigade  of  Kilpatrick's  division,  was  con- 
gratulated to-day  by  his  friends  upon  his  promotion 
to  brigadier-general.  No  promotion  was  ever  more 
fitly  made,  and  the  "  star  "  never  graced  a  more  per- 
fect gentleman  or  more  gallant  soldier.  The  general 
feeling  in  the  command  is,  long  may  he  live  in  the 
service  of  his  country  and  for  the  honor  of  her  flag. 

Sunday^  September  20. — This  morning  very  ap- 
propriate and  solemn  funeral  services  were  held,  con- 
ducted by  Chaplain  Edward  P.  Eoe,  in  honor  of  the 
officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Harris  Light,  who  were 
killed  in  our  recent  advance  to,  and  skirmishes  along, 
the  Rapidan  and  Robertson  Rivers. 

IMPORTANT  RECONNOISSANCE  AND  RAID. 

On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-first,  at  day-break, 
an  important  movement  was  commenced  by  Generals 
Kilpatrick  and  Buford,  while  General  Gregg  remained 
on  the  picket  lines.  The  object  of  the  advance  was 
mainly  to  reconnoitre  the  position  and  strength  of  the 
enemy,  and  at  the  same  time  to  do  all  the  mischief 
we  could.  We  made  a  forced  march  directly  upon 
Madison  Court  House,  meeting  but  little  opposition. 
The  tired  troopers  rested  themselves  and  their  animals 
at  night,  preparatory  to  another  early  advance. 

Septemher  22. — ^We  were  early  in  the  saddle,  with 
our  steps  turned  southward  in  the  direction  of  Orange 
Court  House.    The  two  divisions  advanced  upon  dif- 


318       Three  Yea/rs  in  the  Federal  Cmalry. 

fei-eiit  but  nearly  parallel  roads.  We  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far  before  messengers  from  General  Buford  in- 
formed us  that,  by  a  rapid  movement  across  the  coun- 
try between  the  two  roads,  Kilpatrick  might  intercept 
a  brigade  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  which  Buford  was 
engaging  and  pursuing.  The  Harris  Light  had  the 
advance  of  the  division,  and  we  soon  came  in  contact 
with  the  retreating  Rebel  force  in  a  dense  oak  forest, 
through  which  we  were  compelled  to  approach  the 
pike  by  a  wood  road,  which  was  so  narrow  as  to  ne- 
cessitate our  moving  in  columns  of  twos.  Upon 
gaining  the  main  road  we  found  the  entire  force  of 
the  enemy  advancing  with  skirmishers  deployed,  and 
A  battery  of  light  artillery  in  position,  which  instan- 
taneously opened  upon  us  with  grape  and  canister. 
The  situation  of  our  regiment  was  extremely  critical 
and  embarrassing. 

ENGAGEMENT  AT  LIBERTY  MILLS. 

Generals  Kilpatrick  and  Davies  were  at  the  head 
of  the  column,  and  by  them  we  were  ordered  and  en- 
couraged to  present  a  bold  front  and  make  a  desperate 
resistance,  in  order  to  give  the  division  time  to  file 
out  of  the  forest  and  to  get  into  a  fighting  position 
along  the  road.  At  this  juncture  I  was  in  command 
of  the  first  company  of  the  first  squadron,  and  conse- 
quently was  ordered  to  cross  the  pike,  and  to  check 
the  advance  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter,  while  the 
balance  of  the  regiment  was  to  hold  the  pike  and  a 
small  opening  to  the  left.  We  had  barely  time  to 
deploy  as  skirmishers,  when  the  Eebel  commander, 
seeing  that  his  only  hope  of  escape  from  the  trap  we 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  319 

were  laying  for  him  lay  in  a  quick  and  decisive 
charge,  came  down  upon  us  like  an  avalanche,  crush- 
ing through  the  force  that  was  on  the  road,  and 
sweeping  a  clean  path  for  his  escape.  The  resistance 
of  the  regiment,  however,  was  so  desperate  that  the 
killed  and  wounded  from  both  sides  strewed  the  hotly- 
contested  ground  in  every  direction.  Not  more  than 
twenty  minutes  elapsed  from  the  time  we  first  saw  the 
enemy  before  the  contest  was  decided ;  and  yet,  in 
this  brief  period  of  time,  the  Harris  Light  lost  sev- 
eral of  its  most  gallant  officers  and  many  of  its  brav- 
est men.  Our  loss  was  principally  in  wounded  and 
prisoners,  while  that  of  the  enemy  was  in  killed  and 
wounded. 

By  this  sudden  and  unexpected  charge  of  the 
enemy  upon  the  force  on  the  pike,  myself  and  com- 
pany were  completely  cut  off  from  our  main  column. 
For  one  whole  hour  we  were  entirely  enclosed  within 
the  lines  of  the  Rebel  cavalry.  It  is  true  that  they 
had  about  all  they  could  do  to  take  care  of  them- 
selves, and  yet  they  might  have  bagged  and  gobbled 
our  small  force.  But  by  swift  and  careful  movements 
we  succeeded  in  eluding  the  vigilance  of  the  Eebels, 
and  finally  we  made  our  exit  from  their  lines  unhui-t, 
and  with  much  valuable  information  which  we  had 
obtained.  As  soon  as  possible  I  reported  to  General 
Kilpatrickj  who  was  much  surprised  at  seeing  me, 
having  come  to  the  conclusion  that  myself  and  men 
were  already  on  our  way  to    Richmond  !  " 

The  forces  of  Stuart  were  ultimately  routed  and 
fell  back  from  Liberty  Ford,  near  which  the  fight  oc- 
curred, upon  their  infantry  reserves  at  Gordonsville. 


320       Three  Yea/ts  in  the  Federal  CmaVry. 

My  escape  from  the  toils  of  the  enemy  was  re- 
garded as  almost  miraculous.  General  Davies  sent 
an  aid  to  me  with  his  compliments,  inviting  me  to  his 
headquarters,  where  he  expressed  his  surprise  at  my 
safe  return,  and  complimented  me  for  the  dexterity, 
wisdom,  and  success  of  my  movements. 

The  day  following  this  engagement  and  adven- 
ture our  forces  returned  to  the  vicinity  of  Culpepper, 
where  we  spent  a  few  days  in  comparative  rest — rest 
which  we  all  needed  and  greatly  enjoyed. 

September  25. — I  received  an  order  this  afternoon 
from  Major  Mclrvin,  commanding  the  regiment,  di- 
recting me  to  take  command  of  Company  H,  which  is 
without  a  commander. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  the  paymaster  made  his  ap- 
pearance among  us,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
command.  Owing  to  the  continuous  movements  of 
the  Cavalry  Corps,  and  its  generally  exposed  condi 
tion,  no  opportunity  has  been  afforded  the  Govern- 
ment to  pay  us  for  the  last  six  months.  Very  little 
money  was  in  the  regiment,  even  officers  as  well  as 
men  being  pretty  well  reduced.  The  paymaster's 
"  stamps were  more  than  usually  acceptable. 

September  28. — Four  companies,  namely,  B,  F, 
H,  and  M,  commanded  by  Captain  Grinton,  were 
ordered  on  picket  to-day  along  the  Hazel  River.  One 
half  of  this  force  occupies  the  picket  line,  the  other 
half  patrols  the  country.  The  captain  commands  the 
post,  and  I  have  the  special  charge  of  the  pickets. 
We  do  not  want,  at  present,  for  fresh  meat  and  vege- 
tables. We  live  almost  entirely  from  the  country, 
and  we  live  well.    Our  bill  of  fare  is  varied  and  rich. 


Three  Years  m  the  Fed^al  Cavalry.  321 

Forage  for  our  horses  is  also  abundant  in  all  the 
neighboring  plantations.  Picketing  under  these  cir- 
cumstances is  more  like  a  picnic  than  any  thing  else 
which  we  can  remember. 

October  8. — We  are  still  in  statu  quo^  picketing  on 
the  Hazel  Eiver.  However,  yesterday  Captain  Mitch- 
ell relieved  Captain  Grinton  in  command  of  the  post. 
The  reserve  companies  fell  in  line  to  liear  the  orders 
of  the  War  Department,  concerning  veteran  ^'olun- 
teers.  They  produced  quite  an  excitement  among  us. 
The  three  years'  enlistment  of  a  large  portion  of  the 
army  is  nearly  expired,  and  the  Government,  in  its 
anxiety  to  avail  itself  of  the  exjjerience  of  the  vet- 
eran troops  to  the  end  of  the  conflict,  is  now  offering 
extra  inducements,  in  the  way  of  furloughs  and  boun- 
ties, to  secure  the  reenlistment  of  these  men  to  the 
end  of  the  war.  The  orders  propounded  to  us  meet 
with  universal  favor,  and  the  cry  runs  like  wild-fire 
from  rank  to  rank,  "  let  us  go  in,  boys  !  "  This  will 
be  an  element  of  great  power. 

A  citizen-youth,  of  manly  bearing,  who  professes 
loyalty  to  our  cause,  came  to  our  pickets  to-day, 
and  from  thence  to  headquarters,  bringing  informa- 
tion of  a  Rebel  plan  to  surprise  our  picket  lines 
to-night.  We  will  give  them  a  warm  reception  if 
they  undertake  the  execution  of  their  scheme.  A 
jegiment  of  infantry,  and  one  squadron  of  cavalry 
arrived  before  dark,  and  are  in  readiness  for  the 
niglit's  entertainment.  The  pickets  are  doubly  strong, 
and  are  under  special  orders  to  be  vigilant. 

October  9. — The  enemy  did  not  venture  an  attack 
last  night,  but  doubtless  contented  themselves  with 


322       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  CavaVry, 

tlie  maxim  that  discretion  is  tlie  better  part  of 
valor."  Possibly  they  were  informed  of  our  prepa- 
ration for  them.  Spies  and  informants  are  numerous 
and  active  on  both  sides. 

Lieutenant  Houston  and.  privates  Donahue  and 
Pugli  were  captured  this  morning  while  scouting  just 
beyond  the  pickets.  Much  activity  is  manifested  on 
our  front.  Indeed,  it  is  quite  generally  mderstood 
among  us  that  General  Lee  is  taking  the  initiatory 
steps  of  a  flank  movement  upon  us.  Our  scouts  so 
report,  and  the  suspicious  movements  cf  the  pickets 
and  forces  before  us  corroborate  the  information. 


THE  mmi 

OF  THE 


Three  Years  m  the  Federal  Gamal/ry. 


325 


CHAPTEE  XV. 

CAPTURE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

1863.— Fight  at  James  City.— Music  of  Retreat.— Fourth  Cavahy  Fight 
at  Brandy  Station.— Critical  Situation. — Kilpatrick  Undaunted. — 
Davies  and  Custer. — The  Grand  Charge. — The  Escape. — The  Scene. 
— Subsequent  Charges  and  Counter-charges. — The  Cavalry  Routed, — 
The  Rappahannock  Recrossed  in  Safety. — Infantry  Reconnoissance 
to  Brandy  Station. — Comical  Affair  at  Bealeton  Station. — Thrilling 
Adventure  of  Stuart. — His  Escape. — Battle  of  Bristoe. — Casualties. — 
Retreat  Continued.— Destruction  of  Railroad  by  the  Rebels. — Kilpat- 
rick at  Buckland  Mills. — Unpleasant  Surroundings. — Sagacity  and 
Baring.— The  Author's  Capture. — Fall,  Id  sensibility,  Change  of 
Scene. — The  End. — Introduced  to  Prison  Life. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  October  tentli  the  enemjj 
m  heavy  force,  came  down  upon  our  pickets  along  the 
Robertson  Eiver,  driving  us  back  in  haste  and  occu- 
pying the  fords.  The  flank  movement  of  General 
Lee  was  fully  understood.  He  had  crossed  the  Eapi- 
dan,  advanced  to  Madison  Court  House,  and  was  lap- 
ping around  our  right  wing,  threatening  it  with  de- 
struction. Quick  work  on  our  part  was  now  neces- 
sary. Swift  messengers  from  officers  high  in  com- 
mand brought  orders  to  retire  with  promptness,  but 
in  good  order,  if  possible.  Our  boys,  in  many  in- 
stances, were  compelled  to  leave  uneaten  and  even 
untasted  their  palatable  preparations  for  breakfast  of 
roast  la  jQb,  sweet  potatoes,  fine  wheat  bread,  milk 


326       Three  Years  m  the  Federal  Camalry. 

and  honey,  &C.5  to  attend  to  the  stern  and  always  un 
pleasant  duties  of  a  retreat,  with  the  enemy  pressing 
very  closely  upon  us. 

Sharp  skirmishing  took  place  at  the  river,  and  the 
successive  crack  of  carbines  afforded  the  music  of  our 
march  to  James  City,  where  the  conflict  deepened  into 
a  battle,  which  raged  with  fury  and  slaughter.  The 
enemy,  conscious  of  having  outgeneraled  us  in  this 
instance,  and  having  at  least  a  temporary  advantage, 
was  bold  and  defiant.  He  was  met,  however,  with 
corresponding  vigor.  Those  contesting  legions,  which 
had  so  often  measured  sabres  in  the  fearful  charge  and 
hand-to-hand  encounter,  again  appealed  to  the  God 
of  battle,  and  wrested  with  Herculean  strength  for 
the  mastery.  Night  came  on  at  length  to  hush  the 
strife,  and  the  weary  men  and  horses  sought  repose 
from  the  bloody  fray. 

October  11. — With  the  flrst  pencilings  of  the  morn- 
ing light  we  took  up  our  line  of  march  toward  the 
Rappahannock.  Skirmishing  continued  nearly  every 
step  of  the  way.  On  the  Sperryville  pike  to  Culpep- 
per we  were  closely  pursued  and  heavily  pressed.  At 
Culpepper  the  coi^s  separated.  Gregg,  who  had 
come  by  way  of  Cedar  Mountain,  passed  out  on  the 
road  to  Sulphur  Springs.  Buford  moved  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Stevensburg,  leaving  Kilpatrick  alone  on  the 
main  thoroughfare  along  the  railroad  line. 

Kilpatrick,  accompanied  by  Pleasonton,  had  scarce- 
ly left  Culpepper,  when  Hampton's  Legions  made  a 
furious  attack  upon  his  rearguard,  with  the  hope  of 
breaking  through  upon  the  main  column  to  scatter  it, 
or  of  so  retarding  its  progress  that  a  flanking  column 


Three  Yewrs  in  the  Federal  Cmal/ry,  327 

might  fall  upon  him  ere  he  could  reach  the  safe  shore 
of  the  Rappahannock.  Our  infantry,  which  yester- 
day occupied  this  ground,  had  retired,  leaving  the 
cavalry  to  struggle  out  of  the  toils  of  the  enemy  as 
best  it  could. 

Gallantly  repelling  every  attack  of  the  enemy,  our 
command  moved  on,  without  expending  much  of  its 
time  and  material,  until  opposite  the  residence  of  Hon, 
John  Minor  Botts,  where  a  few  regiments  suddenly 
wheeled  about,  and,  facing  the  pursuing  foe,  charged 
upon  them  with  pistols  and  sabres,  giving  them  a 
severe  check  and  an  unexpected  repulse.  On  arriving 
at  Brandy  Station  Kilpatrick  found  himself  in  a  most 
critical  situation,  with  an  accumulation  of  formidable 
difficulties  on  every  hand,  which  threatened  his  anni- 
hilation. 

Buford,  who  had  been  sharply  pursued  by  Fitz- 
hugh  Lee's  division  over  the  plains  of  Stevensburg, 
had  retired  more  rapidly  than  Kilpatrick,  and,  un- 
aware of  his  comrade's  danger,  had  suffered  Lee  to 
plant  his  batteries  on  the  high  hills  which  commanded 
Kilpatrick's  right,  while  the  Rebel  troopers,  in  three 
heavy  lines  of  battle,  held  the  only  route  by  which 
Kilpatrick  could  retreat.  Lee's  sharpshooters  also 
occupied  the  woods  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Kil- 
patrick's columns,  where  they  were  making  them- 
selves a  source  of  damage  and  great  annoyance.  To 
increase  the  danger  of  the  situation,  Stuart,  by  hard 
marching,  had  swung  around  to  Kilpatrick's  left,  and 
had  taken  possession  of  a  range  of  hills,  planted  bat- 
teries,  and  was  preparing  to  charge  down  upon  the 
surrounded  division  below. 


328       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry. 

This  was  a  situation  to  try  the  stoutest  hearts. 
Nothing  daunted,  however,  by  this  terrific  array  of 
the  enemy,  Kilpatrick  displayed  that  decision  and 
daring  which  have  ever  characterized  him  as  a  great 
cavalry  leader,  and  he  proved  himself  worthy  of  the 
brave  men  who  compose  his  command.  His  prepara- 
tion for  the  grand  (charge  was  soon  completed.  Form- 
ing his  division  into  three  lines  of  battle,  he  assigned 
the  right  to  Davies,  the  left  to  Custer,  and,  placing 
himself  with  Pleasonton  in  the  centre,  he  advanced 
with  unwavering  determination  to  the  contest.  Hav- 
ing approached  to  within  a  few  yards  of  the  ene- 
my's lines  on  his  front,  lie  ordered  his  band  to  strike 
up  a  national  air,  to  whose  spirit-stirring  strains  was 
joined  the  blast  of  scores  of  bugles  ringing  forth  the 
charge. 

With  his  usual  daring  Davies  was  foremost  in  the 
fi'ay,  leading  his  command  for  the  fourth  time  on  this 
memorable  field.  To  his  men  he  had  addressed  these 
stirring  words  :  "  Soldiers  of  the  First  Brigade  !  I 
know  you  have  not  forgotten  the  example  of  your 
brave  comrades,  who,  in  past  engagements  here^  were 
not  afraid  to  die  in  defence  of  the  old  flag." 

Ouster,  the  daring,  terrible  demon  that  he  is  in 
battle,  pulled  off  his  cap  and  handed  it  to  his  orderly, 
then  dashed  madly  forward  in  the  charge,  while  his 
yellow  locks  floated  like  pennants  on  the  breeze. 
Pennington  and  Elder  handled  their  batteries  with 
great  agility  and  success,  at  times  opening  huge  gaps 
in  the  serried  lines  of  the  enemy. 

Fired  to  an  almost  divine  potency,  and  with  a 
majestic  madness,  this  band  of  heroic  troopers  shook 


Tliree  Years  m  the  Federal  Cavalry.  329 

the  air  with  their  battle-cry,  and  dashed  forward  to 
meet  the  hitherto  exultant  foe.  Ambulances,  forges, 
and  cannon,  with  pack-horses  and  mules,  non-combat- 
ants and  others,  all  joined  to  swell  the  mighty  tide. 
Brave  hearts  grew  braver,  and  faltering  ones  waxed 
warmer  and  stronger,  until  pride  of  country  had 
touched  this  raging  sea  of  thought  and  emotion,  kin- 
dling an  unconquerable  principle,  which  emphatically 
affirmed  every  man  a  hero  unto  death.  So  swiftly 
swept  forward  this  tide  of  animated  power,  that  the 
Eebel  lines  broke  in  wild  dismay  before  the  uplifted 
and  firmly-grasped  sabres  of  these  unflinching  vet- 
erans, who,  feeling  that  life  and  country  were  at 
stake,  risked  them  both  upon  the  fearful  issue. 

Kilpatrick  thus  escaped  disaster,  defeated  his  pur- 
suers, captured  several  pieces  of  the  enemy's  artillery, 
and  presented  to  the  beholders  one  of  the  grandest 
scenes  ever  witnessed  in  the  ISTew  World. 

"  By  Heaven !  it  was  a  splendid  sight  to  see, 
For  one  wlio  had  no  friend  or  brother  there." 

No  one  who  looked  upon  that  wonderful  panorama 
can  ever  forget  it.  On  the  great  field  were  riderless 
horses  and  dying  men  ;  clouds  of  dust  from  solid  shot 
and  bursting  shell  occasionally  obscured  the  sky ; 
broken  caissons  and  upturned  ambulances  obstructed 
the  way,  while  long  lines  of  cavalry  were  pressing 
forward  in  the  charge,  with  their  drawn  sabres,  glis- 
tening in  the  bright  sunlight.  Far  beyond  the  scene 
of  tumult  were  the  quiet,  dark  green  forests  which 
skirt  the  banks  of  the  Eappahannock.  The  poet 
Ilavard,  in  his  Scauderberg,"  has  well  described  the 
scene : 


330       Three  Years  m  the  Federal  Ca/odiry. 


Hark  I  the  deatli-denouncing  trumpet  sounds 
The  fatal  charge,  and  shouts  proclaim  the  onset. 
Destruction  rushes  dreadful  to  the  field 
And  bathes  itself  in  blood  :  havoc  let  loose, 
Now  undistinguish'd,  rages  all  around  ; 
While  Euin,  seated  on  her  dreary  throne, 
Sees  the  plain  strewed  with  subjects,  truly  hen, 
Breathless  and  cold." 

The  Rebel  cavalry,  undoubtedly  ashamed  of  their 
own  conduct  and  defeat,  reorganized  their  broken 
ranks,  and  again  advanced  upon  Kilpa trick  and  Bu- 
ford,  whose  divisions  had  united  to  repel  the  attack. 
For  at  least  two  long  hours  of  slaughter  these  oppos- 
ing squadrons  dashed  upon  one  another  over  these 
historic  fields.  Charges  and  counter-charges  followed 
in  quick  succession,  and  at  times  the  "  gray  "  and  the 
blue  "  were  so  confusedly  commingled  together,  that 
it  was  difficult  to  conjecture  how  they  could  regain 
their  appropriate  places.  Quite  a  number  of  prison- 
ers were  made  on  both  sides.  It  was  a  scene  of  wild 
commotion  and  blood.  This  carnival  continued  until 
late  at  night,  when  the  exhausted  and  beaten  foe  sank 
back  upon  safer  grounds  to  rest,  while  our  victorious 
braves,  crowned  with  undying  laurels,  gathered  up 
their  wounded  and  dead  companions,  and,  unmolest- 
ed, recrossed  the  Rappahannock. 

October  12. — To-day  a  portion  of  our  infantry  was 
t brown  across  the  Rappahannock.  They  advanced 
by  a  forced  march  to  reconnoitre  as  far  as  Brandy 
Station,  where  they  met  the  enemy  in  force  and  en- 
gaged him  in  a  sharp  contest.  They  returned,  how- 
ever, without  serious  loss.  Our  main  army  is  retreat- 
ing toward  Washington. 

On  the  evening  of  the  thirteenth,  while  bivouack- 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  331 


ing  near  Bealeton  Station,  a  serio-comical  scene  di- 
verted for  a  time  tlie  attention  of  our  officers  and 
men.  By  a  strange  accident  an  ammunition  wagon 
took  fire,  which  cansed  the  rapid  explosion  of  its  con- 
tents. Shells  flew  and  burst  in  every  direction,  and 
the  apparent  musketry  w^as  terrible.  The  conse- 
quence was  a  wide-spread  alarm,  which  brought  every 
trooper  to  his  horse  ready  to  engage  the  foe,  who  was 
supposed  to  have  made  a  furious  onset.  Great  merri- 
ment and  relished  rest  followed  tlie  discovery  of  the 
cause  of  disturbance,  especially  as  no  one  was  serious- 
ly hurt. 

Since  our  last  reconnoissance  to  Brandy  Station, 
Stuart  has  been  very  active,  following  our  rear  very 
closely,  and  committing  all  the  depredations  possible. 
In  his  hands  have  fallen  many  stragglers,  who,  it  is 
true,  were  of  very  little  use  to  us,  but  who  would 
count  as  well  as  true  men  in  the  Rebel  lists  of  ex- 
changes of  prisoners.  Some  of  Stuart's  performances 
were  exceedingly  hazardous,  as  the  following  v/ell- 
described  narrative  from  a  well-known  pen  will  clear- 
ly show : 

Stuart,  with  two  thousand  of  his  cavalry,  pressed 
our  rear  so  eagerly  that,  when  near  Catlett's  Station, 
he  had  inadvertently  got  ahead,  by  a  flank  movement 
of  our  Second  Corps,  General  "VYarren  acting  as  rear- 
guard, and  was  hemmed  in,  where  his  whole  com- 
mand must  have  been  destroyed  or  captured  had  he 
not  succeeded  in  hiding  it  in  a  thicket  of  old  field- 
pines,  close  by  the  road  whereon  our  men  marched 
by  :  the  rear  of  the  corps  encamping  close  beside  the 
enemy,  utterly  unsuspicious  of  their  nei2:hborhood, 
14 


332        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

thoiigli  every  word  uttered  in  our  lines,  as  they 
passed,  was  distinctly  heard  by  the  lurking  foe.  Stu- 
art at  first  resolved  to  abandon  his  guns  and  attempt 
to  escape  with  moderate  loss,  but  finally  picked  three 
of  his  men,  gave  them  muskets,  made  them  up  so  as 
to  look  as  much  as  possible  like  our  soldiers,  and  thus 
drop  silently  into  our  ranks  as  they  passed,  march 
awhile,  then  slip  out  on  the  other  side  of  the  column, 
and  make  all  haste  to  General  Lee,  at  Warrenton,  in 
quest  of  help.  During  the  night  two  of  our  officers, 
who  stepped  into  the  thicket,  were  quietly  captured. 

"  At  daylight  the  crack  of  skirmishers'  muskets  in 
the  distance'  gave  token  that  Lee  had  received  and  re- 
sponded to  the  prayer  for  help,  Vv^hen  Stuart  promptly 
opened  with  grape  and  canister  on  the  rear  of  our 
astounded  column,  which  had  bivouacked  just  in  his 
front,  throwing  it  into  such  confusion  that  he  easily 
dashed  by  and  rejoined  his  chief,  having  inflicted 
some  loss  and  suffered  little  or  none." 

BATTLE  OF  BRISTOE. 

The  above  manoeuvre  was  a  great  and  unexpected 
or  unsought  risk,  which,  however,  did  not  prove  dis- 
astrous to  the  authors,  but  which  might  not  again  be 
ventured  with  similar  results.  A  performance  resem- 
bling it  somewhat  was  enacted  by  the  Rebels,  but 
with  very  different  issue.  Early  in  the  morning  of 
the  fourteenth  A.  P.  Hill's  corps  left  Warrenton, 
with  orders  to  strike  our  rear  at  Bristoe  Station. 
They  moved  up  the  Alexandria  Turnpike  to  Broad 
Run  Church,  where  they  deflected  on  the  road  to 
Greenwich,  and  soon  after  struck  our  trail  just  behind 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  333 

the  Third  Corps^  and  eagerly  pursued  it.  They  were 
busy  picking  up  stragglers  and  making  some  prepara- 
tion for  an  attack  upon  our  unsuspecting  corps,  when 
about  noon  General  Warren's  Second  Corps,  which 
was  still  behind,  and  bringing  up  the  rear,  made  its 
appearance  on  the  tapis,  and  materially  changed  the 
programme  of  the  scene.  Hill,  finding  himself  nice- 
ly sandwiched  or  trapped  by  his  own  indiscretion, 
turned  away  from  the  retreating  Third  Corps,  to 
fight,  and,  if  possible,  drive  back  the  advancing  Sec- 
ond. Warren's  surprise  in  finding  an  enemy  in  force 
before  him  was  not  less  than  Hill's  in  finding  one  be- 
hind him  ;  but  it  took  Warren  only  about  ten  minutes 
to  adjust  himself  to  this  unexpected  position  of  afiairs, 
when  his  batteries  opened  with  such  precision  and 
efiect,  aided  by  the  musketry  of  his  infantry,  that  the 
Rebels  fell  back  in  much  greater  haste  than  they  had 
advanced,  leaving  six  of  their  guns  in  our  hands  and 
multitudes  of  dead,  wounded,  and  prisoners.  Five 
of  the  captured  guns,  still  serviceable,  were  at  once 
seized  and  used  against  the  disappointed  foe  with  tell- 
ing power.  One  historian  says,  Our  loss  in  killed 
and  wounded  was  about  two  hundred,  including  Colo- 
nel James  E.  Mallon,  Forty-second  New  York,  killed, 
and  General  Tile,  of  Pennsylvania,  wounded ;  that 
of  the  enemy  was  probably  four  hundred  (besides 
prisoners),  including  Generals  Posey  (mortally).  Kirk- 
land,  and  Cooke,  wounded,  and  Colonels  Euffin,  First 
North  Carolina,  and  Thompson,  Fifth  North  Carolina 
Cavalry,  killed." 

This  Bristoe  fiasco  was  a  stunning  blow  to  the 
Pebel  pursuit,  and  greatly  checked  their  incursions. 


334:       Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 

But  our  soldiers  held  the  field  so  lately  won  only  until 
dark,  and  "  then  followed  the  rest  of  the  army,  whose 
retreat  they  had  so  effectually  covered." 

Genera]  Meade  continued  his  retreat  to  Centre- 
ville,  and  then,  seemingly  ashamed — as  well  he  might 
be — of  his  flight,  wonld  have  retraced  his  steps  and 
pushed  back  the  insolent  foe,  but  he  was  prevented 
from  executing  his  plans  by  a  heavy  rain-storm,  which 
began  on  the  sixteenth.  While  he  was  awaiting  the 
arrival  of  pontoons  to  enable  him  to  recross  Bull 
Run,  which  was  enormously  swollen,  the  enemy,  after 
some  daring  skirmishes  along  his  front,  and  some  feints 
of  attack,  retreated  quite  rapidlj^,  completely  destroy- 
ing the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Eailroad  from  Manas- 
sas Junction  to  the  Rappahannock.  A  more  thor- 
ough work  of  destruction  was  never  witnessed. 
Scarcely  a  tie  even  remained.  Tlie  tie§  were  gen- 
erally heaped  together,  and  set  on  fire,  and  the  rails 
were  laid  upon  the  heaps  cross-wise.  As  the  middle 
of  the  rails  became  heated,  the  ends  lopped  down, 
forming  a  graceful  bow.  They  were  thus  effectually 
ruined.  In  many  instances  the  rails  thus  heated  w^ere 
twisted  around  the  trees.  The  road  and  the  telegraph 
lines  and  posts  were  utterly  demolished. 

For  a  few  days  the  Harris  Light  w^as  bivouack- 
ing near  Sudley  Church,  and  the  cavalry  was  pick- 
eting, scouting,  and  patrolling  on  either  side  of  Bull 
Run;  and,  on  one  occasion,  while  endeavoring  to 
ford  the  swollen  stream,  several  men  and  horses  were 
drowned. 

October  18. — To-day  Kilpatrick  advanced  with  his 
division,  which  consists  of  Custer's  and  Davies'  bri- 


Three  Yeojvs  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  335 


gades,  to  within  a  half-mile  of  Gainesville,  where  we 
bivouacked  for  the  night.  A  terrific  rain-storm  raged 
nearly  all  night,  making  our  condition  very  uncom- 
fortable, and  rendering  the  going  impracticable,  ex- 
cept upon  the  turnpikes.  At  this  time  of  the  year 
these  night-storms  in  Virginia  are  very  cold,  and  the 
sufferings  of  men  mostly  unsheltered,  as  we  were,  are 
beyond  description.  On  such  a  night  one  will  natu- 
rally recall  such  passages  as  the  following,  from  By- 
ron's   Childe  Harold  :  " 

"  The  sky  is  changed,  and  such  a  change  !  oh,  night, 
And  storm,  and  darkness,  ye  are  wondrous  strong, 
Yet  lovely  in  your  strength,  as  is  the  light 
Of  a  dark  eye  in  woman  !  far  along 
From  peak  to  peak,  the  rattling  crags  among, 
Leaps  the  live  thunder  !  not  from  one  lone  cloud, 
But  every  mountain  now  hath  found  a  tongue. 
And  Jura  answers  through  her  misty  shroud. 
Back  to  the  joyous  Alps,  who  call  to  her  aloud  I 
And  this  is  in  the  night :  most  glorious  night ! 
Thou  wert  not  sent  for  slumher  !  let  me  bo 
A  sharer  in  thy  fierce  and  far  delight, — 
A  portion  of  the  tempest  and  of  thee  !  " 

It  is  true  that  the  poet,  looking  out  upon  the  storm 
and  listening  to  its  mutterings  from  his  comfortable 
studio,  may  call  such  a  night  "  glorious,"  and  may 
find  in  it  depths  of  inspiration  and  delight ;  but  to  us 
poor  soldiers  it  seemed  more  appropriate  to  take  up 
Shakespeare's  lines : 

"The  tyranny  of  th'  open  night's  too  rough 
For  nature  to  endure,'* 

while  every  one  felt  to  say, 

"  The  gathering  clouds,  like  meeting  armies, 
Come  on  apace."— Mithridates,'*^ 
15 


336        Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry, 


All  night  long  our  pickets  along  Cedar  Eun  were 
confronted  by  Stuart's  pickets,  tlioiigli  no  disposition 
to  f  gilt  lis  was  manifest  in  the  morning.  Dripping 
with  wet  and  somewhat  stiffened  with  cold,  we  were 
ordered  in  battle  array  early  in  the  morning,  and  the 
command,  about  two  thousand  strong,  advanced  tow- 
ard Buckland  Mills.  The  Eebel  pickets  were  quickly 
withdrawn,  and  their  whole  force  slowly  and  without 
resistance  retired  before  us.  With  some  degree  of 
hesitation,  yet  unconscious  of  imminent  danger,  we 
advanced  on  the  main  turnpike  toward  AVarrenton. 
Our  advance-brigade  had  just  passed  New  Baltimore, 
when  Fitz-Hugh  Lee,  who  had  surprised  and  cut  his 
way  through  a  small  detachment  of  our  infantry  at 
Thoroughfare  Gap,  then  had  swiftly  swung  arotmd  our 
right  by  an  unpicketed  road,  fell  upon  our  reai*guard 
at  Buckland  Mills,  and  opened  upon  our  unsuspecting 
column  with  a  battery  of  flying  artillery.  At  this 
signal  Stuart,  who  had  hitherto  retired  before  us  qui- 
etly, now  turned  about  and  advanced  upon  us  in  front 
with  terrible  determination.  Thus  unexpected  trou- 
bles were  multiplying  around  us.  Scarcely  had  we 
time  to  recover  our  senses  from  the  first  shock  of  at- 
tack upon  our  rear  and  front,  when  General  Gordon, 
with  a  division  of  infantry,  until  now  concealed  be- 
hind a  low  range  of  hills  and  woods  on  our  left,  ap- 
peared upon  the  scene,  and  advanced  upon  our  flank 
with  a  furious  attack,  which  threatened  to  sever  oar 
two  small  brigades  and  to  annihilate  the  entire  com- 
mand. "We  were  now  completely  surrounded  by  a 
force  which  outnumbered  us  at  least  four  to  one. 

This  was  a  critical  situation  ;  but    Kil  "  (as  the 


Three  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  337 


general  is  familiarly  styled  among  us)  seemed  to  com- 
prehend it  in  a  moment.  All  thonglit  and  elFort  now 
centralized  into  a  plan  of  escape  from  the  snares  which 
the  enemy  had  laid  for  us,  and  into  which  we  had  too 
easily  thrown  ourselves.  Kil]3atrick  is  supposed  by 
some  to  have  unnecessarily  exposed  himself,  in  which 
he  suffered  his  first  defeat,  though  escaping  with  a 
remarkably  small  loss. 

Quickly  ordering  his  force  to  wheel  about,  he  led 
them  back  in  a  determined  charge  upon  Lee's  columns 
and  artillery,  now  planted  on  the  banks  along  Cedar 
Eun.  This  timely  order,  executed  with  masterly 
skill,  saved  his  command  from  utter  disaster,  and  justi- 
fied his  course.  As  it  was,  however,  he  lost  nearly 
three  hundred  men,  including  quite  a  number  who  were 
drowned  in  the  creek  while  endeavoring  to  escape. 
The  scene  was  one  of  great  confusion  and  distress. 

THE  AUTHOR'S  CAPTURE. 

By  the  sudden  evolution  of  the  command,  when 
the  order  w^as  first  executed,  the  Harris  Light,  w^hich 
was  in  front,  while  advancing,  was  thrown  in  the 
rear,  and  was  thus  compelled  to  meet  the  desperate 
charges  of  the  enemy  in  pursuit,  and  to  defend  itself 
as  best  it  could  from  fire  on  the  flank.  Having 
reached  a  slight  elevation  of  ground  in  the  road,  we 
made  a  stand,  and  for  some  time  checked  the  advancing 
columns  of  the  Eebels  by  pouring  into  their  ranks 
rapid  and  deadly  volleys  from  our  carbines  and  revol- 
vers. Stuart,  who  commanded  in  person,  saw  clearly 
that  the  quickest  and  almost  only  way  to  dislodge  us  was 
by  charging  upon  us,  and,  consequently  ordering  the 


338       Tliree  Years  in  the  Federal  CaA)alry. 

charge,  he  came  with  a  whole  brigade  amid  deafening 
yells.  Our  men  stood  firmly,  almost  like  rocks  before 
the  surging  sea.  We  were  soon  engaged  in  a  fierce 
hand-to-hand  conflict  with  the  advancing  columns. 

In  Byron's  Corsair  "  we  find  a  description  of  the 
scene : 

Within  a  narrow  ring  compressed,  beset, 
HopelcrsS,  not  heartless,  strive  and  struggle  yet, — 
Ah  !  now  they  fight  in  firmest  file  no  more. 
Hemmed  in — cut  ofiT— cleft  down — and  trampled  o^er, 
But  each  strikes  singly,  silently,  and  home, 
And  sinks  outwearied  rather  than  overcome. 
His  last  faint  quittance  rendering  with  his  breath, 
Till  the  blade  glimmers  in  the  grasp  of  death." 

At  this  important  juncture  my  faithful  horse  was 
shot  under  me,  and  we  both  fell  to  the  ground. 
Meanv^^hile  our  little  party,  outnumbered  ten  to 
one,  was  hurled  back  by  the  overpowering  shock 
of  the  Kebels,  who  rode  directly  over  me.  Injured 
somewhat  by  the  falling  of  my  horse,  and  nearly 
killed  by  the  charging  squadrons,  which  one  after  the 
other  trod  upon  me,  I  lay  in  the  mud  for  some  time 
quite  insensible.  How  long  I  lay  there  I  cannot  tell ; 
but  when  I  returned  to  consciousness  the  scene  had 
changed.  I  was  in  the  hands  of  a  Eebel  guard,  who 
were  carrying  me  hastily  from  the  hard-fought  field. 
My  arms  had  been  taken  from  me,  and  my  pockets 
rifled  of  all  their  valuables,  including  my  watch.  I 
was  unceremoniously  borne  to  the  vicinity  of  an  old 
building,  where  I  met  a  number  of  my  comrades,  who 
with  me  had  shared  the  misfortunes  of  the  day.  And 
thus  ended  three  years  and  more  of  camping  and  cam- 
paigning  with  tlie  Harris  Light. 


ThreG  Years  in  the  Federal  Cavalry.  339 

What  I  saw  and  endured,  thonght  and  experi- 
enced, during  a  little  more  than  a  year  among  the 
Eebels,  in  several  of  their  loathsome  prisons,  may  be 
found  recorded  in  a  volume  !  published  in  1865,  en- 
titled   The  Capture,  Prison-Pen,  and  Escape." 


FINIS. 


jU  each. 
England,  3; 


:om  $8.00  to  $12.75. 
trated;  8vo.,$3.00.  . 
Books."  Q.,  $7.50/ 

arged  ed.,  $1.50. 
:tions. ) 


are  similar  in  sub- 
and  equipment  of 


